Stoke City are prepared to take a substantial hit on £18m flop Kevin Wimmer, as the club begins rebuilding for the Championship.

Wimmer will be offloaded by Stoke after just one season at the bet365 Stadium with a number of Bundesliga clubs understood to be interested in the Austria international.

The former Tottenham Hotspur defender has been highlighted as one of Stoke’s three disastrous signings from the last two years, along with Saido Berahino and record £18.3m buy Giannelli Imbula.

Telegraph Sport understands there remains deep frustration in the boardroom over the Wimmer deal, which was pushed by former manager Mark Hughes.

Stoke’s hierarchy were reluctant to pay such a huge fee but Hughes was convinced the 25-year-old would prove an outstanding signing.