Monaco has earmarked a surprise move for Stoke midfielder Giannelli Imbula as they sound at a replacement for Tiemoue Bakayoko, reports The Daily Mirror.
The Ligue 1 champions made £40m from the sale of Bakayoko to Chelsea earlier this month and Leonardo Jardim will have that money available to find his replacement.
Monaco are interested in signing Imbula, who is free to leave Mark Hiughes’ side after failing to make any impression following his club-record move from Porto in 2016.
The Potters are looking to recoup as much of their £18m investment this summer but may struggle after Hughes deemed the box-to-box midfielder surplus to requirements midway through last season.
Stoke are even trying to sign Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph, which all but confirms Imbula will have to move this summer if he wants regular first-team football.
The 24-year-old only made 12 Premier League appearances for Stoke last season and hasn’t featured for Hughes’ side since a five-minute cameo at the end of their 0-0 draw with United back in March.
