Stoke City have secured the loan signing of 22-year-old Dutch midfielder Marco van Ginkel, as confirmed by both clubs, with former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson set for a medical and looking likely to be next in through the door at the Britannia.
Since arriving at Premier League champions Chelsea in 2013, a lot of van Ginkel's time has been spent plagued by inury. The young midfielder spent the last season away on loan at Serie A outfit AC Milan, making 18 appearances for the Italian giants and scoring once.
Van Ginkel is part of a deal for Asmir Begovic
Van Ginkel arrives at the Potters as a part of a deal that will involve sending 28-year-old goalkeper Asmir Begovic to Stamford Bridge. The Express reported that Stoke manager Mark Hughes was at first keen on bringing in Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan instead, but this offer was allegedly rejected by Blues boss Jose Mourinho.
It seems the business didn't end there for Stoke, with Sky Sports reports confirming that 30-year-old former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson is set to have a medical with the club.
Johnson is an experienced defender in the top flight
Johnson, who was released by Liverpool last month at the expiry of his contract, spent six years with the club and has been capped 54 times by England. Liverpool have already replaced Johnson with a fellow England international in Nathaniel Clyne, who joined the club from Southampton earlier this month. It has also been widely suggested that Johnson has offers from Turkish outift Besiktas as well as West Ham to consider.
These moves in the transfer window from Stoke City can only be viewed as positive. With van Ginkel's loan confirmed, Johnson set to undergo his medical and lofty ambitions of a transfer for former Bayern Munich star Xherdan Shaqiri, Mark Hughes and the club look set to try and improve on their 9th-placed finish from last season in the Premier League.
