Stoke City chase cut‑price Ellis Simms as Robins eyes Coventry strike

Mark Robins’ Stoke City are poised to make a cut‑price swoop for Ellis Simms from Coventry City, with the 25‑year‑old striker reportedly available for less than £10 million before the September 1 deadline. Robins believes the physical forward could solve Stoke’s glaring goal‑scoring problem after a 2‑1 opening defeat.

Stoke’s striking dilemma

Stoke’s 2026/27 Championship campaign began with a 2‑1 home loss to Swansea City, exposing a lack of firepower across the pitch. Injuries to Junior Tchamadeu, Viktor Johansson, Ben Wilmot, Bosun Lawal, Maksym Talovierov, Ben Gibson and Aaron Cresswell have further weakened the defence. Across last season, Sam Gallagher, Robert Bozenik, Milan Smit and Lamine Cisse combined for only seven goals in 88 league appearances, while Divin Mubama managed five in 26 games. Sorba Thomas contributed to over 40 % of Stoke’s league goals, underscoring the need for a reliable centre‑forward.

Why Simms fits the bill

Ellis Simms, standing 6 ft 3 in, offers the physical presence Robins has demanded for a target man. The English striker was signed from Everton in the summer of 2023 for a potential £8 million after Viktor Gyökeres departed for Sporting. Last season he made 43 appearances for Coventry, starting only 15, and often found himself behind Haji Wright in the pecking order. His ability to hold up the ball and win aerial duels would complement Sorba Thomas’s crossing prowess.

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Implications for Coventry and Stoke

Coventry City’s promotion to the Premier League has seen Frank Lampard add Taiwo Awoniyi and Sidiki Cherif, the latter reportedly close to a £21 million deal. Those arrivals push Simms further down the forward line, making an exit increasingly likely. A move to Stoke would reunite him with Robins, who originally brought him to the Sky Blues, and could be secured for less than the £10 million reportedly earmarked for George Hirst. Both clubs stand to benefit: Coventry could recoup a fee before the deadline, while Stoke gains a striker without breaking the bank.

Action images By  James Pennington AM GMT+1 James is a Stoke City fan, born and raised in Stoke-on-Trent. He graduated from Leeds Beckett University in 2025 with a 1:1 (Hons) in Sports Journalism, and began his Journalism career with Football League World shortly after. Add Us Like Like follow Follow followed Followed Thread Log in Here Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap.

Stoke’s transfer agenda also lists free‑agent Will Smallbone, while injuries to Aaron Cresswell and Junior Tchamadeu have left full‑back positions thin. Robins is expected to address those areas before the September deadline to avoid a repeat of last season’s struggles.