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Mark Hughes has made a £19million bid to sign Porto midfielder Giannelli Imbula.

The Belgium-born Frenchman has only been in Portugal since last summer after moving from Marseille.

Despite his success in France, including playing for Les Bleus at Under-21 level, the 23-year-old has struggled for opportunities in the Porto team.

Imbula has since attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs, including Southampton who are trying to persuade Victor Wanyama to sign a new five-year deal.

A successful move for Imbula would prove yet another feather in the cap for Hughes who has transformed Stoke’s profile during his time at the club.

In pictures - Stoke 0-0 Arsenal:

The Welsh Potters boss has already attracted the likes of Marko Arnautovic, Xherdan Shaqiri and Bojan to the Britannia Stadium.

He has also earned praise for the way in which he has improved the team’s style of play.

Earlier this season, Champions League-winning Ibrahim Affelay admitted he was convinced more quality players would join him at the club.

Affelay said: “They try to play football. They don’t play the way that did before. We are a team trying to let the people enjoy their football.”