LIVERPOOL are in discussions with Stoke about a deal for winger Xherdan Shaqiri.

The Switzerland international, currently on holiday after appearing at the World Cup, has a release clause in the region of £13.5m and the Potters are resigned to losing one of their prized assets after relegation from the Premier League.

Shaqiri has been heavily linked with a move to Saints due to his relationship with Mark Hughes, who first brought him to England.

Jurgen Klopp see him as providing quality back-up to an established front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Fimino and Sadio Mane and Liverpool have opened talks with Stoke with a view to taking him to Anfield.

Speaking about his future earlier this month Shaqiri expressed his desire to remain in the Premier League, saying: “Of course, I would like to play on the biggest stage in football. Everybody knows that.”

It is believed Stoke are interested in taking one of Liverpool’s youngsters, such as Harry Wilson or Sheyi Ojo, on loan and they hope doing a deal for Shaqiri may help get that over the line.

Ojo, who spent last year helping Fulham win promotion to the Premier League scoring four goals in 22 appearances despite being sidelined for a time by a dislocated shoulder, has impressed already in pre-season.

Meanwhile, Saints are still hopeful of getting a deal for Jannik Vestergaard over the line, but the Daily Echo understands reports linking them with Barcelona centre half Marlon Santos are incorrect.