Xherdan Shaqiri had previously said that although he was happy at the Potters, his future would be discussed over the summer once our league status for the coming year had been officially revealed.
Well, he was true to his word on Monday and he was correct, ‘it is no secret’ that many fans felt the 26-year-old would jump ship at the first available opportunity should relegation be our fate.
He has simply clarified that this week as he outlined his intention to depart the club and hopefully, earn a move back to the Premier League because he feels at home there.
The instant go to here sees speculation already linking former manager Mark Hughes and Southampton with an interest in him – Click Here – and apparently he’s available for as little as £12million following our drop into the Championship. Leicester City are also namechecked.
Shaqiri is quoted by Aargauer Zeitung (via Sky Sports) as saying.
“It is no secret that I will leave the club. I think the Premier League is perfect for me. I would love to stay in England but I don’t want to rule anything out. It’s the best league with the best players.”
With Shaqiri on international duty at the World Cup in Russia this summer, he certainly has the stage to shine and show that £12million (if true) would be a sensible gamble for anyone to take on him.
Having joined in August 2015 for the sum listed above from Inter, the Switzerland international would leave us having made 92 appearances across all competitions, with a return of 15 goals and a number of assists across those games.
He will naturally be a loss, but as he said ‘it is no secret’ this would be his outcome but some fans aren’t pleased.
Makes me howl. Him, butland, sobhi all ‘too good for championship’ more like you don’t want to all be proved bang average over the course of the season. Legends in your own heads. Do FO you malingering, feckless tosspots.
— ????Gary Rowetts barmy army???? (@stuartmitton1) June 3, 2018
Another player who thinks he’s to good for championship football!!! ⚽️ stick him in the reserves until his contract runs out
— Stephen (@scifi14) June 3, 2018
He can go for me. Had some good times and cracking goals but nowhere near as consistent as we needed him to be. Furthermore he can go when the club says he can go and not before.
— Potters (@PottersSCFC01) June 3, 2018
If he's satisfied with his season then there's hope for me yet. Too many games sub standard, tantrums when things don't go his way. Good possibly great on his day but halley's comet has shown up more often than he has ☄
— Andy Cash (@andycash71) June 3, 2018
Not interested in helping get us back up then Shaq? Not found any affinity with the club and the fans either, oh well move on, no doubt for more money as that’s what it’s all about
— Nick Holdcroft ???????? (@SwifNick37) June 3, 2018
I know what you’re getting at but at the end of the day, he’s not a Championship player. In all fairness, we were lucky to have him at the Bet365 in the Premier League. I’m proud to say he played for Stoke & never expected him to move to Burslem ????
— Jay Smith (@Deviantjay) June 3, 2018
No surprises there. Just how well we spend the income is what matters now.
— Sean (@SeanStokie) June 3, 2018
