Stoke set to sign Barcelona's Mohamed El Ouriachi

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has confirmed that the club are closing in on the signing of 19-year-old Barcelona forward Mohamed El Ouriachi.

Marc Muniesa and Bojan have both swapped Camp Nou for the Britannia Stadium since the Welshman took over at the club in 2013, and they now appear to be on the verge of luring a third Barca star to the Premier League.

Earlier this week, El Ouriachi's agent suggested a deal for his client to join the Potters had been agreed and Hughes has now confirmed as much.

"There is a hope that we can conclude that deal," he said at a press conference on Friday. "We are trying to improve the quality of the Under-21 group and Moha, from Barcelona, is one that we feel we can get over the line.

"We are actively looking to improve the quality of that group, because if they can impress there then they will push to get in my squad.

"Moha is predominantly left-footed, he has good pace and he ticks a lot of the boxes that I like in a player.

"We are hopeful that we will get it concluded and then get him here and push him towards the first team."