Stoke City boss Mark Hughes might face a huge test in the forthcoming days in order to keep hold of his ace playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri, with the Italian giants AS Roma looking to make a bid for the Swiss international in the summer transfer market. As per reports, the Potters star has been targeted by the Italian club in order to replace their star player Mohammed Salah, who is Liverpool bound for the next season.
It has been a season of struggle for Stoke, as they ended their last campaign at the 13th position on the League table and is already looking to make amends by bringing in players to revive their next season in the form of the inspirational midfielder and the former captain of West Bromwich Albion Darren Fletcher as their first summer signing.
However, the loss of Xherdan Shaqiri might ring early alarm bells for their current coach Mark Hughes, as the Swiss playmaker is a firm fan favourite and is one of the most highly rated players who is adored all over Europe.
Mark Hughes is well aware of the fact that this could be his last season with the Potters if he might not be able to get his team in a position that they achieved in two consecutive seasons before the last one, which was the ninth position on the League table.
The Welshman has been handed one more season in charge at the Bet365 Stadium and will have to prove his worth in front of the fans, who are expecting their team to not repeat the performance of the last season. Shaqiri leaving the Potters in the next season might be a big blow to the plans, as he is the main man around whom Hughes’ plans are made.
With ex-Barcelona playmaker Bojan Krkic having already left the Bet365 Stadium, it is only Xherdan Shaqiri and Austrian forward Marko Arnautovic who are to lead the attack for the Potters in the next season. Captain Ryan Shawcross has also been a potential target for Premier League newcomers Newcastle United and Hughes is trying his level best to keep hold of him as well and tie him down with a new contract this summer.
Roma, on the other hand, might look to lure the Swiss international with the opportunity that they are going to offer him to play in the Champions League for the next season. Now it is to be seen whether Shaqiri can resist the temptation or not.
