Monaco’s Gian step

MONACO have approached STOKE about taking Giannelli Imbula off their hands.

The French champions are seeking a replacement for Tiemoue Bakayoko who has joined Chelsea.

Midfielder Imbula cost the Potters more than £18million when he joined from Porto 17 months ago.

Stoke will hold out for their money back at least for the 24-year-old who has made just 23 appearances in almost one-and-a-half seasons.

The Potters are still trying to land Fabian Delph from Manchester City, but tied up a season-long loan for France defender Kurt Zouma from Chelsea this week as boss Mark Hughes reshapes his squad.

And he will have extra money to spend this summer after Stoke off-loaded Marko Arnautovic to West Ham for £24m in one of the surprise deals of this transfer window. EVERTON are in the race to sign teenage Swiss defender Jan Bamert from GRASSHOPPERS. The £1.6million-rated Bamert is also wanted by BENFICA, VILLARREAL, TORINO and RENNES. The centre-back, 19, made his Grasshoppers debut aged just 17.