Stoke are holding firm to their valuation of the Republic of Ireland international, and also want to recoup most of the fee paid for Gianneli Imbula.
Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Republic of Ireland’s Glenn Whelan
Aston Villa will have to double their offer of £500k if they are to sign Stoke City midfielder Glenn Whelan, with the Potters boss Mark Hughes wanting £1m for the experienced Republic of Ireland international, as reported by the Stoke Sentinel.
The 33-year-old is widely expected to depart Stoke this summer after the Potters announced the signing of Darren Fletcher on a two-year-deal, and Villa have made their intentions perfectly clear regarding the 81 time international.
Stoke City’s Glenn Whelan in action with Everton’s Morgan Schneiderlin
Whelan made 30 Premier League appearances last season, claiming one assist, and is seen as a key transfer target for Villa boss Steve Bruce, who plans to make Whelan an integral part of his side as Villa look to get back into the Premier League for the first time since relegation in 2016.
Stoke are also desperate to try and recoup some of the £18m they forked out on Giannelli Imbula, with things just not working out for the 24-year-old defensive midfielder in Stoke since the club made him their record signing in the January 2016 window.
Stoke’s Gianelli Imbula in action with Manchester City’s Jesus Navas
The Stoke Sentinel claim that Galatasaray want to take Imbula to Turkey on loan with an option to sign him for £13m, while the Telegraph claimed that Italian side Roma were interested in the former FC Porto man.
Mark Hughes will understandably want to get these deals over the line as it would mean he can spend what’s brought into the club, while Bruce will be hoping to tie up the Whelan deal fairly soon, with it being strongly expected that he will return.
Stoke City’s Glenn Whelan in action with Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama
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