Stoke City Football Club have emerged favourites to sign Robert Huth.

The Middlesbrough defender has been tipped to quit the Riverside Stadium ever since Gareth Southgate’s side lost their place in the Premier League last season.

The German international wants to protect his place in the squad for the World Cup Finals, and he knows playing Championship football is not helping his cause.

Reports suggest Stoke are closing on a £2.5million transfer for Huth, which would likely heighten speculation Ryan Shawcross could be sold before the end of the month.