Stoke City's Gianelli Imbula could finally be set to leave the club on a permanent basis as he is in advanced talks to join Lokomotiv Moscow.

The 27-year-old was the Potters club-record signing when he arrived in the winter window back in 2016 for a fee in excess of £18m, however he struggled to adapt to English football.

After 18 unsuccessful months he was shipped on loan to Toulouse and then joined Rayo Vallecano as Stoke were relegated.

Given he will be a high earner, the Championship side were desperate to move him on and Imbula signed on loan for Lecce in Serie A at the start of the current campaign.

His time in Italy has been a disaster too though and they are happy to cut the loan short, with reports from France claiming the left-footer has gone to Russia to finalise a deal to Loko.

The Russian league resumes at the end of the month from a winter break, with Imbula's potential new club sitting 5th, although they are only outside the Champions League places on goal difference.

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The verdict

This seems as though it would be a move to suit all parties. Imbula's time at Stoke has been a nightmare and they will be delighted to permanently shift him off their books.

How that will work financially remains to be seen but it's at least a start for the Potters who need to move several players on.

As for Imbula, he has struggled for a few years now, which is a shame, because at 27 he should still have a lot to offer but his career has not gone to plan since he joined Stoke.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.