Dutch international Martins Indi set for Stoke City medical
By Garry Welsh
Bruno Martins Indi may be the first arrival through the door at the bet365 Stadium, as clubs move close to finalizing a loan deal.
Bruno Martins Indi looks set to swap Porto for Staffordshire. According to Sky Sports, Indi will be in Stoke tomorrow for a medical. The arrival of the Dutch centre-half will allow Phillip Wollscheid to move to Wolfsburg in his native Germany.
Indi’s departure would pave the way for a return to Porto for Manchester City outcast, Eliaquim Mangala.
The 24-year-old was a brought in as a replacement at Porto, when Frenchman Mangala left to join Manchester City in 2014. Indi’s strength and power are qualities that have attracted interest from Everton and Liverpool.
Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp interested in the Dutchman, as Mamadou Sakho has been told he is free to leave Merseyside. Sakho had turned down a loan move to The Potters.
Can Indi do it on a cold, wet night?
Bruno Martins Indi is an established member of the Dutch national side and he has amassed over 30 caps since making his debut in 2012.
The defender has been a regular feature in Porto’s back four since his move in 2014. After an impressive run with The Netherlands in Brazil at the World Cup, Feyenoord accepted a 7.7m euro bid from Porto.
His resume is impressive this early in his career. Will he be ready for the rigours of the Premier League?
More from Transfer Rumors
- Stoke City Lose Another Player on Loan
- Harry Clarke Departs Stoke City for Ipswich Town
- Stoke City Eyeing Leeds United Forward
- Liam Delap Recalled by Manchester City & Loaned to PNE
- Is Harry Souttar Premier League Bound?
Trading a warm, sunny south-west Portugal for a dreary winter in England is a brave decision on its own.
Mark Hughes could do with another option at the back. Ryan Shawcross, Mark Muniesa and Geoff Cameron would be the only remaining recognised centre-halves were Philipp Wollscheid to head through the exit.
The experience, presence and ability of Indi would be a solid option for Hughes to pick from. Pairing him with Shawcross could be the first step to making the Britannia the fortress it once was.