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Stoke launch shock bid for Tottenham target
STOKE manager Mark Hughes has launched a surprise bid to sign Belgium international Axel Witsel, according to reports.
Axel Witsel scored three goals in 29 Russian Premier League games this term
The Sun claim Hughes tried to sign the Zenit St Petersburg ace in January but Andre Villas-Boas refused to let go of one of his top stars.
However, Hughes has decided to test the water with an initial £11million offer.
The Potters spent £12m on Xherdan Shaqiri last summer, before shattering their record with the £18.3m capture of Gianelli Imbula in January.
Witsel made 39 appearances in all competitions for Zenit this season and has been named in Marc Wilmot's Euro 2016 squad, alongside wantaway Everton star Romelu Lukaku.