Stoke have lost their race to get Bruno Martins Indi signed in time to face Everton on Saturday, manager Mark Hughes says.
Hughes expects to complete the £7m signing of the Dutch defender – who had a successful loan spell at the club last season – from Porto later today.
But Martins Indi still needs to have a medical, and so Stoke boss Hughes there is no chance of getting him registered by the Friday noon deadline to play at Goodison Park.
“It’s probably going to be a day too late for him,” Hughes said.
“It needs to be done for midday and that’s not likely to happen.
“He’ll have to have a medical, and that takes time. Our thinking is that he’ll be ready to go for Monday.
“My understanding is that we’re very close. All being well, he should be with us today at some point and we will get that done.
“It’s been frustrating for a lot of people, and that includes me. It’s one that’s likely to get done unless there are last-minute hitches, but I don’t anticipate any.
“It’s an important one for us to get over the line.”