Despite being still contracted to Stoke City, the chances of seeing Giannelli Imbula playing Championship football at the bet365 Stadium next season are slim to none.
Already spending the last campaign out on loan with Toulouse, the French midfielder isn’t expected to return to the English club, wanting to spend more time in France in a league where he feels he can continue his redemption.
This is what SFR Sport were reporting last week, also claiming the 25-year-old was hoping to find a spot in one of Ligue 1’s top eight clubs.
Yet to get an offer from that particular group, Imbula does, however, have the option to go to Strasbourg, who have taken an interest in his services.
This is what Manu Lonjon, a journalist for Yahoo! Sport, reported late on Sunday evening, explaining the midfielder was ‘getting closer’ to the club who finished 15th in France’s top-tier last year.
Both parties are said to be interested in a deal, although the nature of the transfer has yet to be revealed.
Considering their budget (or lack thereof) and the fact the Potters spent upwards of £20m on the midfielder just over two years ago, we find it unlikely that Strasbourg will be able to pull off anything other than a loan for Imbula.
We’ll have to wait and see, but it’s something to keep an eye on amid alleged interest from both Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.
