Edrin Shaqiri who acts as Xherdan’s agent has hinted that the winger could head back to Serie A in the near future.
Stoke City’s Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates scoring their first goal against Middlesbrough
Stoke City winger Xherdan Shaqiri’s future has been plunged into doubt after his brother suggested he could leave The Potters in January, according to the Stoke Sentinel.
Edrin Shaqiri, who acts as Xherdan’s agent, has told Italian publication Corriere dello Sport that the former Inter Milan forward could head back to Italy as early as January, which would not be welcome news for Stoke who have made a dismal start to the season.
Shaqiri hasn’t been available for much of the campaign due to injury, but returned in recent weeks for the draws against West Bromwich Albion and at Manchester United.
Manchester United’s Chris Smalling in action with Stoke City’s Xherdan Shaqiri
But just over a year after joining Stoke from Inter Milan, he could be on the move again to Serie A title rivals Roma who are supposedly tracking the Swiss international ahead of making a formal move.
“I can’t say much,” Edrin Shaqiri said. “The only thing that’s certain is that Xherdan is focused on Stoke City. January is a long way off, there will be time to evaluate the various options.
“Roma? Never say never…”
Stoke City’s Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates scoring their first goal
Although being deliberately vague, Stoke’s attempts to keep Shaqiri will deteriorate if they cannot get themselves out of a slump that threatens to derail their season.
Shaqiri may have struggled to live up to the hype surrounding his Basel days, resulting in failed stints at Bayern Munich and Inter, but he remains a good player and a symbol of the type of player Mark Hughes wants to bring to the Bet 365 Stadium along with Bojan and Marko Arnautovic.
He provided six assists and three goals in the Premier League last season and a return to form would help win-less Stoke climb the table as they seek to improve on three consecutive ninth place finishes.
Shaqiri started both of Switzerland’s World Cup qualifiers against Hungary and Andorra and remains vital to Hughes’ style of football and boosting the profile of the club.
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes with Xherdan Shaqiri
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
