Torino open talks with Stoke City over surprise transfer, Mark Hughes to decide

 

Turin newspaper Tuttosport report in their Tuesday edition that Torino have set their eyes on Giannelli Imbula.

The Stoke City midfielder has managed 791 minutes in the Premier League this season, and whilst he’s certainly a used member of the squad, he hasn’t got the prominence under Mark Hughes that he will have hoped for.

Tuttusport explain that Torino are very keen to add a midfielder today, and Imbula is one of their first options. The club have opened talks with Stoke City and asked the Premier League side if they can loan Imbula for the remainder of the current season.

It’s believed to be a difficult deal for Torino to pull off, with Imbula not being ostracised at Stoke. Hughes will likely feel he needs strength in depth, and the player himself could react negatively to giving up his Premier League dream, even if only temporary.

Imbula is still just 24 years of age and this is his first full season with Stoke. The hope will be that he can kick on from here and become a key player, going on loan to Torino would suggest that isn’t going to be the case.

It’s up to Mark Hughes to decide whether to entertain Torino’s request.