Stoke City close to Philipp Wollscheid loan deal

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has confirmed that the club is closing in on a loan move for Bayer Leverkusen defender Philipp Wollscheid.

Terms have been agreed between the relevant parties following discussions over the Christmas period.

Hughes believes that the 25-year-old Germany international could become a Stoke player by the start of next week.

"It is a deal that is likely to happen and we are likely to see him here early next week I would suggest," he told the club's official website.

"He has superb quality and in my opinion he is a very good footballer, so we are very pleased to have agreed the terms of the deal. He has moved for decent money in the past and he has played for the reigning world champions, so he has real good pedigree."

Wollscheid, who has made two senior appearances for his country, joined Leverkusen from Nuremberg in 2012.