Stoke end Shaqiri interest but bring in Van Ginkel, Given and Johnson

Stoke City are now evens with Coral for a top 10 finish after landing Chelsea’s Dutch midfielder Marco van Ginkel on a season-long loan, and taking veteran Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given on a free transfer from Aston Villa.

Potters boss Mark Hughes has also confirmed free agent, former Liverpool full back and ex-England international Glen Johnson will be joining the club on a two-year deal ahead of their participation in the pre-season Barclays Asia Trophy in Singapore.

“Glen is a very experienced player and we feel the qualities he has will help us,” Hughes said. “We’re a team that is trying to progress and do that by getting good players into the squad. Glen has played at a high level for a very long time and we can benefit from that.”

http://t.co/yUbA496eR1 – Glen Johnson has signed for Stoke City, subject to finalising the formalities. #WelcomeGlen

— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) July 12, 2015

Also agreeing a club record fee of £12m with Inter Milan for Switzerland creative midfielder and winger Xherdan Shaqiri, Stoke have ended their interest in the former Bayern Munich man, however, as he failed to respond to a discussion of personal terms.

This latter point might seem like a blow, but the Potters will chase an alternative marquee signing to play across advanced midfield areas.

Box-to-box player Van Ginkel’s arrival from Stamford Bridge suggests an £8m switch for Stoke stopper Asmir Begovic in the opposite direction is imminent.