Monaco's transfer dealings this summer seem to have revolved around players leaving the Stade Louis II stadium, with Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy and Tiemoue Bakayoko all departing the French champions for the Premier League.
And it is the Premier League where Monaco will look to for Bakayoko's replacement.
The midfielder recently completed a £35 million move to Chelsea and Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim appears to be wasting little time in replacing the French international.
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However, the man identified to step into the Monaco midfield in Bakayoko's absence may come as a surprise to many.
The French champions are reportedly ready to make a move for Stoke City midfielder Giannelli Imbula, according to talkSPORT.
Imbula has failed to make an impact since arriving at the Potters two years ago. Image: PA
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Imbula has failed to settle at the Potteries since arriving in an £18.3 million deal from Porto, in 2015 and Stoke manager Mark Hughes is now willing to allow the French midfielder to leave on loan for the entirety of the 2017/18 campaign.
The likes of Galatasaray and Nice have made offers for the 24-year-old, this summer, although neither club were successful in securing the midfielder's signature.
Imbula enjoying a rare moment of celebration. Images: PA
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Monaco's offer includes an option to buy Imbula for £13.5 million at the end of next season, a fee which would represent a loss of almost £5 million for the Potters for the player who became their record signing when he arrived at the Bet365 stadium two years ago.
Imbula has made just 28 appearances for Stoke since his 2015 arrival, scoring twice. The former Marseille man made just 12 Premier League appearances during the 2016/17 campaign after falling out of favour with Mark Hughes, who is now ready to cut his losses on the French U21 international.
(H/T talkSPORT)
Topics: Football, AS Monaco, Stoke City