Stoke City: Viktor Johansson transfer claim issued as Bournemouth circle for Championship's "best goalkeeper" | OneFootball

Football League World's Stoke Fan Pundit issues his take on the Swedish goalkeeper's potential price-tag.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Stoke City are in the midst of a huge relegation scrap in the Championship, and after looking to have turned the corner earlier in the season, the threat of the drop has crept back up on them.

A late 1-0 defeat to Millwall on Saturday allowed Derby County to close up to within one point of the Potters heading into the international break, and with a trip to Pride Park on the final day of the campaign, supporters will be feeling particularly nervy.

Mark Robins has not quite been able to inspire his team to safety as easily as many would have hoped and dropping down to League One for next season is a very realistic nightmare that the West Midlands outfit may have to accept.

Stoke need points on the board quickly if they are to remain in the Championship, but with AFC Bournemouth registering an interest in goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, this summer could be tough for the club whether they stay in the second tier or not.

Verdict issued on Viktor Johansson's Stoke price-tag as Bournemouth and Como circle

Italian side Como targeted the Potters' shot-stopper in the winter window, but a move never came to fruition, yet it would not be a surprise to see them return at the end of the season, with the Cherries also putting the Sweden international on their shortlist.

The 26-year-old has been sensational in 2024/25 at the bet365 Stadium, keeping 11 clean sheets in 38 games for a team that are struggling at the bottom end of the league.

However, this interest could not come at a worse time for Robins and his team, with full focus needed to keep the club in the Championship.

Football League World has asked their Stoke Fan Pundit, Daniel Buxton, just how much he believes Johansson is worth if either Bournemouth or Como come calling.

Daniel told FLW: "He seems to add another zero on to his price-tag every week. The guy's immense, he's the best goalkeeper in the Championship by far. He's a great shot-stopper, his distribution is actually better than people give him credit for. It's unbelievable.

"He really is something else. We've struggled with goalkeepers in the last couple of years and this club it's got a real proud tradition of goalkeepers, going back to the 70's. If you think we've had the likes of Peter Shilton, Gordon Banks, they don't get any better than that.

"But there's plenty of people who have said, they've been supporting Stoke for 20 or 30 years and they've seen some decent goalkeepers, some more than decent goalkeepers. You think Thomas Sorensen, Asmir Begovic, Jack Butland, people like that.

"A bit before that, Peter Fox was in goal for many years for Stoke, and those people are saying that he is better than those goalkeepers, the best goalkeeper they've seen play for Stoke."

Daniel continued: "I think he's definitely up there. I would say Begovic for me is probably the one, but he's not far behind him, I tell you.

"When you look at a fee, I mean we only paid around £750,000 for him, so the majority of it is going to be profit. But I think if they've got European aspirations, then we are looking at £10 million-plus.

"I think he's that good. I don't think we will get that because of our position and the pull that a club like Bournemouth and Como would bring.

"But I think for what his ability is and also his fantastic character, he is just a brilliant personality and a good person to have around the club, both for the fans and the other squad members. I think he's definitely worth that.

"I think Stoke might end up with £7m-£8m, when he really should be probably £10m-£12m."

Viktor Johansson would be a huge loss to Stoke City but he can't be begrudged over top flight move

Although nothing is set in stone currently, there will be plenty of clubs queueing up for Johansson's signature in the summer, especially if Stoke are relegated.

He has proven to be an incredible signing for the Potters, preventing 10.8 goals, and having one of the highest save percentages in the division with 72.3%.

But, relegation to League One has already proven too much for Johansson in the past, having left Rotherham United last May for the bet365 Stadium following their drop to the third tier.

With Bournemouth set to lose Kepa Arrizabalaga at the end of his loan spell from Chelsea, both themselves and Como will be tracking the super Swede's progress in the coming months.