Giannelli Imbula could leave Stoke City, says Mark Hughes

Stoke's record signing Giannelli Imbula could leave this summer, admits manager Mark Hughes.

The midfielder was a £18.3m signing from Porto in February 2016 but has made just 12 Premier League appearances for Stoke this season.

Speaking ahead of the Sky Live match with Arsenal on Saturday, Hughes says Imbula has made little progress since making the switch to the bet365 Stadium.

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"It's fair to say it hasn't quite worked out as any of us would have wanted. It's fair to say if there was interest in Gianelli from other parties, then maybe we'd consider that," Hughes said.

"Obviously, it would have to be suitable for ourselves and the player himself. We haven't had any interest - only speculation.

"The Premier League is a different league. He's probably struggled with that, and he hasn't developed as much as we - and he - would have liked."

Hughes, whose side lie in 13th place with 41 points, is hoping Stoke can derail Arsenal's Champions League hopes with a win this weekend.

"We like to upset teams that maybe sometimes expect to win.

"And when you beat a side that's used to winning, it can have more of an effect and be more satisfying. It's our last home game, and with it being Arsenal as well, that adds to the mix.

"I've always liked going up against Arsenal teams, as a player and manager. They're one of the best teams in Europe. They have pace, they've got power, raw talent and technical ability, so you've got to get your game right to negate their threat.

"It's about taking our chances against top teams, and that's maybe where we haven't been as adept as we have in recent years in terms of taking chances.

"Our conversion stats are probably down on where they have been in recent years, and we'd like to address that in the last two games."

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