Southampton: Saints target Shaqiri has £12m release clause

Reported Southampton summer transfer target Xherdan Shaqiri has a release clause of £12m in his Stoke contract, it has been revealed.

This is according to a report from the Mirror and a move for the Swiss international can be triggered if that amount is met by an offer from another club this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be interested in signing the 26-year-old, who has publicly stated his desire to move back to the Premier League after Stoke’s 2017/18 relegation.

The £12m fee would surely be achievable for most sides in the English top-flight should they see Shaqiri as a player that would add something significant to their side.

It is well known that Southampton need some attacking threat and creativity added over the summer, and Shaqiri has proven himself to be a classy talent on his day for both club and country.

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Now permanent Saints boss Mark Hughes also knows him well having worked with him whilst in charge of the Potters and may be keen on a reunion. At a relatively low price too, a move could be seen a fairly risk free too.

66 goals and 63 assists from the wing in 342 career games is an impressive return. He also has 60 caps and 20 goals for his country and has been a talisman for the side in the past, and may be key for them in Russia too.

Shaqiri has had a successful yet sometimes inconsistent career so far. He proved himself at Basel in his homeland before moving to German giants Bayern Munich.

A loan spell and permanent transfer to Inter Milan followed, but he was never able to make his mark fully on Serie A and made the move to England and Stoke in 2015.

Some spectacular goals and assists have come from the boot of the Swiss in recent years, but some criticism has come from Stoke fans for his varied form at times.

It remains to be seen whether the Saints or Spurs will make an official move for Shaqiri, and both teams would provide different positives. More game time would come with Mark Hughes at St Mary’s but Champions League football would be on offer in North London.