Thursday 13 July 2017 10:19, UK
Stoke have emerged as favourites to sign Kurt Zouma on loan from Chelsea after positive talks between the clubs were held on Wednesday.
Zouma is expected to sign a new Chelsea deal imminently and be loaned out immediately and it is understood Stoke are prepared to pay all his wages.
A host of clubs, including West Brom, have expressed an interest in taking the 22-year-old on loan but it would appear Mark Hughes is in the box seat to secure his services.
Hughes said: "There is genuine interest. We'd like to make it happen if we can.
"The boy himself has to make a decision. We are one of many interested parties but we're very hopeful. We're still doing a number of deals."
Zouma joined Chelsea from Saint-Etienne in January 2014 but remained on loan at the French side for the remainder of the campaign.
The following season he won the Premier League title and League Cup with Chelsea.
Zouma was out of first-team action for 11 months after sustaining the anterior cruciate ligament injury against Manchester United but returned as Chelsea won the Premier League title again under Conte.
