Stoke City transfer news: Bjorn Engels closing in on Potters switch as Mark Hughes eyes Club Brugge centre-back
Arsenal and Everton have been linked with the Belgium youth star who would join Bruno Martins Indi and Kurt Zouma as defensive reinforcements
MARK HUGHES is trying to sign his third centre-back of the summer in Club Brugge star Bjorn Engels.
The Belgium youth star is a 6ft 4in stopper who has previously been linked with Arsenal and Everton.
And club sources have revealed his agent is close to agreeing a deal after several days of talks.
There is a sense that this could be a big summer for Stoke after boss Hughes finished in the bottom half for the first time in four years.
The Potters have already secured the return of Bruno Martins Indi from Porto in a £7m deal and landed Kurt Zouma on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
But Hughes, who has made a three centre-half system his Plan A, wants another player and sees Engels as the perfect fit.
Stoke are also set to offer Ryan Shawcross a new contract to keep him at the Britannia.
It has been reported that former boss Tony Pulis is eager to bring the English centre-back to West Brom.
But skipper Shawcross has told Staff, family and close friends he wants to stay put as his family are settled.
Stoke face Rochdale in the Carabao Cup second round tonight before travelling to take on Pulis’ Baggies on Sunday.
