Xherdan Shaqiri’s £12million release clause has Everton, West Ham and Crystal Palace circling Stoke star
Winger will be able to leave Bet365 Stadium for cut-price fee after Stoke dropped down to the Championship and Premier League sides are already circling
STOKE winger Xherdan Shaqiri has a £12million relegation clause - sparking a scramble for to land him this summer.
The Swiss star, 26, scored eight goals during the campaign but could not stop his club dropping into the Championship.
And that means Shaqiri can activate a clause in his deal allowing him to leave the Bet365 Stadium for a bargain price when the transfer window opens.
News of his potential availability has already started to circulate among Premier League clubs as they plan their own changes over the close season.
Everton, West Ham and Crystal Palace are among the teams already looking at a deal to add firepower to their attack.
The trio of clubs can land him for the price Stoke paid to sign the wide man when they captured him from Inter Milan three years ago.
Everton know they need to bring in more creative flair to their side with scoring goals one of the main reasons behind their struggles over the past year.
While Palace are already on the look-out for another player to excite the fans as they prepare for the possibility of losing talisman Wilfried Zaha this summer.
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Manchester City and Tottenham are among the clubs who are considering making a bid to take Zaha from Selhurst Park and boss Roy Hodgson knows he would need a proven top flight player in to help cover his loss.
The Hammers have their own plans to improve their squad, and Shaqiri is seen as a safe bet to add more quality at a reasonable price.
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Stoke are facing up to the prospect of wholesale changes to their squad with an exodus of their best players following the drop out of the top flight.
Shaqiri is one of their driving forces and his absence will be felt by boss Paul Lambert as he tries to regroup and challenge for an immediate return next season.
But he is likely to have to do without not only the Swiss star, but England goalkeeper Jack Butland who is in huge demand this summer.
Midfielder Joe Allen is another who is set to depart, with the former Liverpool star already attracting interest at home and abroad.
While Senegal star Badou Ndiaye had a relegation clause in his deal when he joined for £14million in January.