Stoke City agree to big fee for Inter, Switzerland winger Shaqiri
Stoke have had a $18.7 million offer accepted for Inter Milan winger Xherdan Shaqiri, according to Sky Italia sources.
Stoke first tried to sign Shaqiri from Bayern Munich in January and have now made a second move for the 23-year-old as their chances of landing Yevhen Konoplyanka fade. Shaqiri must now decide whether he desires a move to the Britannia Stadium, just months after turning down Mark Hughes' side to sign a four-and-a-half-year contract at Inter Milan in a deal understood to be worth $25 million.
He made just eight league starts during the second half of the season, scoring just once in Serie A, and the Italian club are now prepared to move the Swiss star on once again. Shaqiri began his career with Basel before joining Bayern in 2012, and he won two Bundesliga titles and the 2013 Champions League with the German club.
He scored 11 Budesliga goals in 26 starts for Bayern but after a good World Cup in Brazil in 2014, Shaqiri struggled to establish himself in Bayern's first-team. He has 46 caps and 17 goals to his name for Switzerland.
Shaqiri's agent Arber Sakiri revealed in January his client was seriously considering joining the Potters before opting for Serie A instead.
"Xherdan has been hugely impressed by Stoke City," Sakiri told The Sun. "Xherdan is aware Stoke do not play the type of football they did a few years ago. He's aware Bojan is enjoying his football and has settled in well there and has been talking highly of the club."
