Transfer Centre

Mark Hughes "hopeful" of Giannelli Imbula deal

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 01 February 2016

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes says that he is "hopeful" of completing a club-record deal for Porto midfielder Giannelli Imbula on deadline day.

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has talked up the possibility of signing Giannelli Imbula from Porto before the end of the transfer window.

The 23-year-old only joined Porto from Marseille in the summer, signing a five-year deal with the club, but he has been linked with a big-money move to the Premier League in the winter window.

Hughes revealed that talks have "progressed significantly" on deadline day and hopes to complete the deal before the window shuts at 11pm.

"We're hopeful. It's progressed significantly quicker this morning. Last night it seemed to be a bit difficult. We hope that at some point in the day we'll be able to announce a big signing," Hughes is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"He's a good young player, good range of passing - someone who will come in and add to the quality we've got. It's not something we've jumped into in the last minute.

"There's been a lot of work done in the last month. You never say never, but he's travelling as we speak and we hope to get it concluded some time today."

Stoke are understood to have submitted a bid of around £18m for Imbula, which would break the club's record transfer fee.