IRELAND INTERNATIONAL GLENN Whelan may be set to step down a level amid reports that Aston Villa have targeted the player.
According to the Stoke Sentinel, the Championship side have had a £500,000 rejected for the 33-year-old, with the Potters wanting a fee in the region of £1 million for the player.
Whelan made 26 starts and 30 Premier League appearances overall for Stoke in the 2016-17 campaign, but the club are understood to be happy to let the Dubliner leave, having recently signed another defensive midfielder, Darren Fletcher.
The Irish footballer, who captained his country in a vital World Cup qualifier against Austria on Sunday, has made over 200 Premier League appearances for Stoke and almost 350 in total since joining from Sheffield Wednesday in January 2008 for £500,000.
Whelan has one year left on his current Stoke deal and the player is reportedly seeking a more long-term contract elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Mark Hughes’ side are also understood to be willing to listen to offers for Giannelli Imbula, who they signed for £18m on 1 February 2016, with the player failing to impress since joining the club.
Galatasaray are reportedly keen on the 24-year-old, amid talk of a loan move that could be made permanent for around £13 million.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
