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Giannelli Imbula has impressed since joining Porto in the summer. AP/Press Association Images
Competition

Bad news for Glenn Whelan? Stoke break the bank for new defensive midfielder

Meanwhile, Marc Wilson’s Euro 2016 hopes have been dealt a blow.

Updated at 22.41

STOKE CITY HAVE made Porto’s Giannelli Imbula their record signing today, with the youngster understood to have cost in the region of €24 million.

The 23-year-old French-Belgian midfielder will provide competition for 32-year-old Ireland international Glenn Whelan, with both players favouring the defensive-midfield role.

The France U21 international only signed for Porto from Marseille for €20 million in the summer and made 15 appearances for the Portuguese side.

Imbula has become Stoke’s record signing, eclipsing the previous €15 million fee they paid to prise Xherdan Shaqiri away from Inter in the summer.

Whelan and Ibrahim Afellay have been Stoke’s two regular defensive midfielders so far this season, though Imbula’s arrival would provide further competition for a spot in the first XI.

Meanwhile, there was bad news for another Irish international today, as it was confirmed that Marc Wilson has been ruled out for 10-12 weeks with a knee injury.

With Wilson having struggled to make Stoke’s first XI, starting just once for the club all season in the Premier League, the latest setback could be a blow to the 28-year-old defender’s hopes of making Ireland’s 23-man Euro 2016 squad in the summer.

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