Rabbi Matondo’s proposed loan move to Stoke City is being held up by Manchester City, who have an option on the player.
That’s according to Sport 1, who say City’s potential interest in the deal is holding up Matondo’s move back to England.
They explain that the deal between Schalke and Stoke has been ‘long since sealed’ and Matondo has been in England since Sunday, waiting to complete his first training session with his new club.
The two clubs have had a loan deal until the end of the season agreed for some time but Manchester City suddenly ‘interfere’ in the proceedings.
According to Sport 1’s information, they have a ‘matching right’ for the 20-year-old, who they sold to Schalke two years ago for €9m.
Because Stoke have agreed a purchase clause of €6m, an option that was added on later to the deal, Manchester City now come in to play and would like to benefit from a potential ‘performance explosion’ in the next six months.
It’s believed their sudden interest in proceedings shouldn’t jeopardise the move and Stoke are hoping to have the player available in their squad for the FA Cup clash with Leicester City on Saturday.
However, their involvement is holding up proceedings, a frustration for Schalke and Stoke, who have already long since wrapped up negotiations.
