Shaqiri Confirms He Will Leave Stoke ! Is Is For A Mark Hughes Reunion ?
Xherdan Shaqiri has told the media it is no secret he will be leaving relegated Stoke City this summer, but will St Mary's be his destination ?
Speaking to Aargauer Zeitung he said:
"Of course, yes, it is no longer a secret that I will leave Stoke City."
But he also confirmed that he would prefer to stay in the premier League.
"I think the league is perfect for me.
"I would love to stay in England, but I do not want to rule anything out.
"It is the best league with the best players — simple",
But Saints would face interest from both Everton and Spurs, both of whom have more money than sense and from that viewpoint perhaps either would be more attractive to him financially.
However he knows Mark Hughes and that may play some part in his thinking, certainly he would be more likely to get a regular game at Saints than at Spurs.
Shaqiri is believed to have a release clause in his contract of around £12 million and if he was to be signed than it could be a bit of reshuffling in the squad for Saints.
Dusan Tadic could be going out as Shaqiri arrives, Tadic has had a mixed time at St Mary's but overall has been good value for money in his four years so far, he is being linked with a return to Holland and he would fetch somewhere around the £12-15 million mark.
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