AS Monaco are looking to replace Tiemoue Bakayoko with Stoke City midfielder Giannelli Imbula.
The Potters had signed the midfielder for a fee reported to be £18.3 million by the Daily Mail in the January window of 2016, but the Frenchman has made just 23 appearances for the club since his arrival from Portuguese giants Porto.
Stoke’s Gianelli Imbula scores their first goal
The report details that Monaco are looking to replace Tiemoue Bakayoko, who has signed for Chelsea earlier in the transfer window. Despite the underperformance of the midfielder, Stoke will look to recoup at least half of the money they spent on the ex- Marseille man.
However, it is unlikely to be plain sailing for Imbula if he does choose to move to France with the likes of Joao Moutinho, Fabinho and new signing Youri Tielemens for competition at the Stade Louis II.
Given he has been behind the likes of Glen Whelan, Charlie Adam and Ibrahim Afellay in the past season, a move to pastures new could rejuvenate his career. Especially with Stoke City in talks to sign Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph (according to Sky Sports), the writing seems to be on the wall for the club’s record signing.
Stoke’s Gianelli Imbula in action with Manchester City’s Jesus Navas
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