Stoke boss Hughes ‘keen’ on Fabian Delph

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes is interested in signing Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph, according to reports, as the Welshman looks to redesign the Potters’ ailing midfield.

Hughes has already snapped up Darren Fletcher from West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer, and Delph is now on his radar – with the England international desperate to end his Man City nightmare.

Stoke’s ageing midfield struggled last season, with Glenn Whelan and Charlie Adam unable to provide any kind of forward thrust – while Giannelli Imbula did not start a Premier League game in the second half of the season after falling out of favour.

Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images

Hughes even turned back to Geoff Cameron towards the backend of last season as he sought defensive stability – but the American is perhaps better suited to defence, where he has played most of his minutes.

Delph, 27, has spent two seasons at Man City but failed to establish himself in the first team, although injuries ruined much of his second campaign.

But manager Pep Guardiola is not too keen, and is happy to offload the former Aston Villa player for around £15m according to the Telegraph.

Hughes has money available to him after a disappointing season, and it is thought two new full-backs, a centre-back and centre midfielder is on his shopping list.

However, the club has said their chances of signing Bruno Martins-Indi on a permanent deal after a successful loan move from FC Porto are reducing every week.