Reds seeking to offer Shaqiri way out after Stoke relegation misery

LIVERPOOL are in talks with Stoke about a deal to bring Switzerland international Xherdan Shaqiri to Anfield.

The winger ( below) is understood to have a £13.5m release clause in his cont r ac t due t o St oke’s relegation from the Premier League, with the winger ready to leave the club rather than spend the next season in the Championship.

Jurgen Klopp is thought to keen on signing Shaqiri as a quality back up to the front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

Shaqiri, 26, recently expressed his desire to remain in the Premier League. “Of course, I would like to play on the biggest stage in football,” he s a i d. “Ever y body knows that.”

Liverpool have already signed Fabinho from Monaco for £43.7m and welcomed Naby Keita from RB Leipzig after a deal was agreed last summer. RIYAD Mahrez has paid tribute to his former club Leicester City and their supporters following his move to Manchester City.

“To all Leicester fans, we have made some amazing memories and history together,” Mahrez said.

“Winning the Premiership (in 2015-16) against all odds was just something else and none of this would have been possible without your extraordinary support for me and the team.

“Now it’s time for me to move on and try to build on what I have developed here, but I will always remember my time at the club with great joy and pride.”

Arsenal have, meanwhile, competed their fifth signing of the summer with the acquisition of midfielder Matteo Guendouz from French side Lorient.

The 19-year old moves for an undisclosed fee, thought to be a deal worth around £7m, while West Ham United have signed Ukraine international Andriy Yarmolenko from Borussia Dortmund for a fee understood to be in the region of £17.5m.