Stoke City consider move for San Diego defender Manu Duah

Ghanaian centre-back Manu Duah, who currently plays for San Diego, has been linked with a move to Stoke City in the Championship.

Duah, 21, has established himself as a regular for San Diego during the 2026 Major League Soccer season, making 19 appearances and starting 95% of the club’s possible league matches. He has also recorded one assist.

The defender has featured in three CONCACAF Champions Cup matches this campaign, scoring once, and has made two appearances in the Leagues Cup. His Champions Cup involvement included a red card, while he has also been sent off once in MLS.

Duah joined San Diego in December 2024 after being selected in the draft from UCSB Gauchos. He had moved to UCSB from Santa Barbara earlier that year.

A move to Stoke would take Duah from MLS to England’s second tier, although there is no indication that a transfer has been agreed or that negotiations have reached an advanced stage.

The Ghanaian defender’s current contract with San Diego runs until 31 December 2027, meaning the club is under no immediate pressure to allow him to leave. His listed market value is €3.5m.

Duah’s performances have made him a regular part of San Diego’s defensive set-up, but the reported Stoke interest remains only a rumour at this stage.