Sparky Shaq attack
MARK HUGHES is plotting a £20m summer raid on old club Stoke for Xherdan Shaqiri. New Southampton boss Hughes is a big fan of the Swiss star and would love to make him his first big summer signing. If Stoke are relegated then Shaqiri (left) will want out but he’s not short of admirers both at home and abroad. Also, Hughes’ bargaining base
dependant on him making sure he keeps Saints in the top flight too.
Shaqiri goes to the World Cup with Switzerland with the ideal platform to showcase his talents.
If Stoke do go down then he will be firmly in the shop window to try to force through a move, despite having two years left on his contract.
The Potters are unlikely to be able to persuade their 26-year-old talisman to stick around.
Hughes wants to be at the head of that queue having smashed Stoke’s then club record to sign Shaqiri from Inter Milan in a £12m deal three years ago.
The powerhouse wideman has an impressive pedigree, having been at Basel and Bayern Munich before moving to Italy. He’s been a central figure at Stoke and is a massive fans’ favourite.
Boss Paul Lambert, who succeeded Hughes, is desperate to hold on to Shaqiri but would be fighting the odds should they go down.
Another Potters favourite who could be lured away is long-serving skipper Ryan Shawcross with Championship form side Middlesbrough likely to make a move should they get promoted.