Stoke City are determined not to let Nice, or anyone else, get away with too good a deal for Giannelli Imbula.
Mark Hughes is happy for the midfielder to leave Stoke this summer, and Nice are one of the interested clubs. Whilst there’s also been interest from Turkey, which may work out better financially for Stoke, L’Equipe insist Nice are still in there.
The French newspaper report that Nice’s latest offer for Imbula is deemed ‘insufficient’ by Stoke City. That offer is to pay a percentage of the player’s wages next season, as part of a loan deal.
Stoke don’t feel the percentage is high enough, and L’Equipe explain the Premier League club have done their homework. After finding out what Nice paid to other players last season, and what their actual wage ceiling is, Stoke believe the offer is so far too low, and are pushing for more.
It’s understandable from Stoke, and it sounds good for the club that they’ve gone to the extent of researching what Nice are actually able to pay.
Nice are looking at Imbula to replace Jean-Michael Seri, who is edging closer to the exit. AS Roma have offered €15m for the player, but that’s nowhere near Nice’s €40m asking price.
Should Nice get their full €40m, perhaps Stoke City should also push for a loan fee.
