Bruno Martins Indi reveals talks to join Stoke permanently

Bruno Martins Indi is such a hit at Stoke City that he plans on sticking around.

In conversation with Sky Sports News HQ's Nick Lustig, Martins Indi admitted he is in talks with the Potters over a permanent move to the club, saying he wants to repay the faith shown by Mark Hughes. The Dutch defender arrived at bet365 Stadium in August on a season-long loan from FC Porto with a view to a permanent deal, and he is leading a renaissance following a poor start to the Premier League season.

"We are talking to each other, the club and me," Martins Indi said. "I have the intention to stay. We want to see what is going to happen. I was following Stoke City before I was here and I knew the way the manager wants to play. He gave me a lot of confidence to come here and he trusted me, I happy that I could give him that back."

As the Guardian's Paul Doyle wrote in January, many of Stoke's supporters would nominate Martins Indi as the top signing of the Premier League season, as the 25-year-old is commanding the Potters' defence and bears similarities with Abdoulaye Faye, a former captain at the club.

Martins Indi is averaging 6.1 clearances, 1.7 tackles, and 1.7 interceptions in 25 Premier League appearances this season.