West Ham will have to overcome serious competition in their pursuit of a prime attacking target, as rivals are emerging on the market.
The Daily Star states Liverpool are keen on raiding relegated Stoke City for the services of Xherdan Shaqiri, who’s available for just £12m due to a clause in his contract.
Switzerland international Shaqiri has been heavily linked with a move to West Ham, where he would reunite with Marko Arnautovic, but Liverpool’s emergence on the market presents a huge problem.
Jurgen Klopp is said to be keen on Shaqiri’s versatility as he seeks to improve the depth within his squad at Anfield and could lure the 26-year-old with the offer of Champions League football.
Shaqiri has confirmed he will leave Stoke following the club’s drop to the Championship but his future is likely to be resolved after the World Cup in Russia, where Switzerland clash with Brazil, Serbia and Costa Rica.