Jonathan Pitroipa explains why Stoke City deal collapsed

Rennes winger Jonathan Pitroipa has explained why his proposed deadline-day transfer to Stoke City collapsed.

The Burkina Faso international denies reports that his agent was to blame for the move breaking down, insisting that "intermediaries" appointed by his club were at fault.

"Contrary to what has been said, it was not due to my agent that I didn't join Stoke, but due to intermediaries appointed by Rennes on that case," L'Equipe quotes him as saying.

Stoke also failed in their attempts to sign Thomas Ince and Lee Cattermole on deadline day, missing out on the former to Crystal Palace, while the latter remained at Sunderland.