Stoke City are understood to have turned their attentions elsewhere after dropping their interest in FC Porto midfielder Giannelli Imbula.
The dynamic Franco-Congolese box-to-box operator left Olympique de Marseille during the summer, opting for a switch to Portugal despite interest from Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
Imbula shone in the heart of the park for Marcelo Bielsa’s Marseille side last season, and while many of that side—notably Andre Ayew and Dimiti Payet—have proved to be major successes after leaving the Stade Velodrome during the summer, Imbula has struggled to impress in the Primeira League.
Indeed, the 23-year-old has managed only 10 league appearances, of which seven have been starts, and has struggled to adapt to life in a new division.
Gary Neville’s Valencia are understood to be keen in the midfielder, while Stoke City were understood to be plotting a club-record offer for the player.
However, according to the Telegraph, Mark Hughes has abandoned the move for the player after reportedly growing frustrated with the demands of both the player and the Portuguese giants.
It remains to be seen whether any of Imbula’s other suitors will move for the player before the window closes, while Stoke may yet move for another midfield enforcer after missing out on the ex-Ligue 1 star.
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