Respected La Liga journalist Guillem Balague has claimed that Stoke City are closing in on a loan move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Jese Rodriguez.

The former Real Madrid forward, who spent last season on loan at Las Palmas, has battled with injuries and poor form after he left the Bernabeu in 2016.

According to Balague, Jese wants to play under Mark Hughes, and believes a new challenge in the Premier League will rejuvenate him.

Balague told Sky Sports News: "Jese's one-year loan move to Stoke is going to be announced very soon.

"Jese's progression has stopped in recent years with injuries, and an infection he had while he was recuperating. That meant his progression has stopped, there's no doubt about it. Now he writes Reggaeton songs and seems distracted from football.

"So, I think he wants to test himself in a place where he will be playing and where he is going to be challenged. It's a risk signing him because he needs the love of everybody, but he can play as a centre-forward or a winger and has talent in abundance."

Jese struck 18 goals for Los Blancos, but since moving to the Parc des Princes, he has scored just twice.