Stoke City forward Bae Jun-ho will stay with the Championship club after a proposed move to Olympique Lyonnais collapsed over the transfer fee. The French club walked away from negotiations after balking at Stoke's €6 million valuation of the 23-year-old attacker. The deal fell through just before the transfer window closed this week.
Lyon immediately pivoted to sign Japanese international Keito Nakamura from Stade de Reims for a fee that could reach €20 million. Nakamura, 26, signed a four-year contract until 2030. This left Bae Jun-ho, who had reportedly hoped to make the switch, to continue his career at the bet365 Stadium. The Korean forward is a key part of Steven Schumacher's plans for the new season, which you can follow on our fixtures page.
Why did the Lyon transfer fall through?
The primary reason was financial. Lyon's ownership, led by Korean-American businesswoman Michelle Kang, deemed Stoke City's asking price of €6 million (approximately 9.4 billion won) too expensive for Bae Jun-ho. Instead, the club committed a significantly larger sum to acquire Nakamura. The Japanese striker's deal includes a fixed €1 million fee plus up to €19 million in potential add-ons, and Reims will receive 12.5% of any future sale. This contrast in spending highlights Lyon's specific valuation of the two players.
Nakamura brings a strong recent record, having scored 14 goals in Ligue 2 last season after netting 11 in the top flight the year before. He has 11 goals in 29 caps for Japan. Bae Jun-ho's own contributions for Stoke are tracked in detail on our stats page, where his creative numbers from the previous campaign are available.
What does this mean for Stoke City's squad?
Bae Jun-ho's retention is a positive outcome for manager Steven Schumacher. The South Korean adds pace and technical ability to the forward line, and his continued presence provides stability. He is one of several attacking options at the club, which also includes Million Manhoef and Ryan Mmaee. Keeping a valued player against interest from a notable European club can be seen as a statement of intent.
Stoke's current squad depth, visible on our squad page, will now be tested throughout a demanding Championship season. The team's next match is against Sheffield Wednesday on September 13th, a crucial early-season fixture. Bae Jun-ho is expected to be involved as Stoke look to build on their current league position.
How does Bae Jun-ho fit into Stoke's season?
With the transfer window closed, the focus shifts entirely to on-pitch performance. Bae Jun-ho will be aiming to build on his first full season in England, where he made 31 Championship appearances. His ability to play across the front three offers Schumacher tactical flexibility. The manager often employs a 4-3-3 system that relies on wingers to create chances and press from the front.
Stoke's early season form has been mixed, and consistent contributions from attackers like Bae will be vital for climbing the standings. The team has shown they can score goals but needs greater defensive solidity. Every point matters in the tightly-packed division, and retaining key assets is the first step to improvement. The forward's contract with Stoke City runs until the summer of 2028.
