Report: Liverpool agree Aspas fee

Daryl Janmaat could be tempted with a move to Italy, according to his agent, as speculation increases that he could be allowed to leave Feyenoord.

The defender has been the subject of much speculation with Juventus most strongly linked with the 23-year-old.

Juventus are in the market for a left-back as Antonio Conte looks to change his style from a 3-5-2 to a 4-3-3 next season and reports suggest they are set to bring in the Dutchman for around €4.5million (£3.8m).

But agent Karel Jansen says reports of an imminent move to the Old Lady of Italy are premature.

He said: "Many clubs observed him during the Dutch national matches and I know there were Italian sides, including Juventus.

"But there have been no official bids and no negotiations are in progress."

But the agent did admit his client could be tempted away and his club may be persuaded to sell.

"Feyenoord would like to keep him but in football today if the right offer comes in they could decide to sell," he said.

"Daryl is a modern, skilful defender who is good going forward. The Italian league is always of great interest, but it obviously depends on the club."

One leading bookmaker has suspended betting on the likelihood of the former Wales, Blackburn, Manchester City, Fulham and QPR boss taking over at the Britannia Stadium.

It is understood that the club have been in discussions with the 49-year-old this week.

A tweet from bookmaker Coral read: "We've suspended betting on next Stoke City manager. Mark Hughes is clearly the man set to take charge at the Britannia."

Hughes would succeed Tony Pulis, who left the club by mutual consent after seven years in charge last week.

Stoke chairman Peter Coates has said the Potters intend to move in a different direction, suggesting they want to tone down the robust style for which they have become renowned.

Hughes, who has been out of work since being sacked by QPR after a tough 11 months in charge last November, would bring a different approach.

Hughes himself may find the club presents a similar challenge to that which he took on at Blackburn, where he impressed.

The Welshman led Rovers to three successive top-10 Premier League finishes and two FA Cup semi-finals before leaving for City in 2008.

He may also welcome the stability the club would appear to offer after the difficulties he faced at Loftus Road.

Yet despite Pulis' reputation for physical football and that some fans started to turn against him in his latter days at the club, he could still be tough act to follow.

Pulis guided the Potters into the top flight in 2008 and they have stayed there since, also reaching the FA Cup final in 2011 and subsequently playing in the Europa League.

The 25-year-old has scored 60 goals in 130 appearances for Celta and was strongly linked with a move to the Premier League in January.

Reading showed an interest, but were put off by Aspas' price, while Chelsea, Tottenham and Swansea had also been mooted as admirers.

However, it is now understood that Liverpool are poised to win the chase for Aspas, who has a €10million (£8.6m) release clause in his contract.

If Liverpool can tie up a deal for the forward, he will become the second signing for Brendan Rodgers since the end of the Premier League season.

On Tuesday, the Reds confirmed that Manchester City defender Kolo Toure had agreed to move to Anfield on a free transfer in the summer.

Aspas' immediate priority, though, is on Celta's relegation battle, with the club inside the relegation zone with just one game to play.

Celta are a point adrift of fourth-bottom Deportivo La Coruna and face Espanyol at home in the final game of the season in La Liga on Saturday.