Stoke City assistant boss Mark Bowen confirms interest in Nani

Stoke City assistant manager Mark Bowen has confirmed that the club are interested in signing former Manchester United winger Nani.

The Portugal international, who is currently preparing for a semi-final against Wales at Euro 2016, is expected to leave Fenerbahce this summer.

Valencia have been the frontrunners for Nani's signature, but reports emerged over the weekend claiming that the Potters will make a move.

Bowen has now confirmed that manager Mark Hughes is keen to bring the 29-year-old back to the Premier League.

"I know there is an interest there," Bowen told talkSPORT. "Valencia are a big club but it is the draw of the Premier League. He is player that Mark admires a lot and he has had a very good tournament. Without giving too much away, there is an interest there and let's see what happens.

"In my opinion, he left the Premier League far too early. He had his time at Manchester United and had been a big player for them and he seemed to drift away rather than step into another club in the Premier League. If he is ready to come back, then I'm sure there will be a lot of clubs interested in him."

Nani left United last year following an eight-year spell, in which he won four Premier League titles and the Champions League.