Sources: Cheltenham, MK Dons and Salford race to sign Stoke City ace Baker
Stoke City are set to hand defender Matt Baker a new deal before sending him out on loan, sources have told Football Insider.
Cheltenham, MK Dons and Salford are all keen on taking Baker on loan with Stoke keen for the player to play at the highest possible level.
Baker, 20, who joined Stoke from Gillingham in 2021, is highly regarded at the bet365 Stadium.
The Wales Under-21 international spent the second half of last season on loan at Newport County and the centre-back impressed at the League Two club.
Baker made 18 appearances for the Welsh outfit during his temporary spell at Rodney Parade.
He impressed club chiefs with his versatility as he moved into a defensive midfield berth after injuries to key Exiles stars.
Prior to that loan spell, the defender was a regular for Stoke’s Under-21 side in Premier League 2 competition.
He made his first appearance for Wales’ Under-21 side in September 2022 after featuring heavily for his country as a youth.
Baker is yet to make his first-team debut for Stoke but was named on the bench for Championship fixtures against Hull City and Queens Park Rangers last season.
He came through the youth system at Gillingham before signing for the Potters in 2021.
Stoke could prefer to send Baker to Cheltenham as they will play League One football in the 2023-24 campaign.
Meanwhile, MK Dons and Salford will play in England’s fourth tier.
In other news, Championship club agree deal for ex-Leeds man.