According to a report from The Sun, Stoke City are hopeful of luring Liverpool’s Sheyi Ojo to the bet365 Stadium as part of the Xherdan Shaqiri deal. Switzerland international Shaqiri has been repeatedly linked with a move away from the Potters ever since their relegation from the Premier League was confirmed back in May, what with the 26-year-old producing arguably his best season in English football last time round.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are reportedly the front runners for his signature, but were Gary Rowett’s Stoke to get £2.25 million-rated Liverpool sensation Ojo (as per Transfermarkt) as part of the deal, it would represent great business by the Championship club.
The Breakdown
Ultimately, while Stoke fans would obviously hope that their side could retain many of their prized assets, it was always likely and frankly inevitable that Shaqiri would leave the club this summer.
The winger netted eight goals and laid on seven assists to give the Staffordshire-based team a fighting chance of staying up last season, thus underlining his Premier League qualities which were never likely to be wasted in the Championship.
And for a reported £13.5 million, as per the Swiss’ release clause, Stoke were always likely to struggle keeping hold of the winger, which is why getting something more than just money out of the deal can only be good news to manager Rowett.
And were they to land the hugely talented Ojo as part of the deal, it would represent excellent business by the Potters.
The 21-year-old may have only mustered 13 senior appearances for Liverpool during his career, but he has done well on loan at Wolves and Fulham in recent years, netting three times and laying on four assists for the former back in the 2016/17 campaign, before scoring four goals and setting up two for Slavisa Jokanovic’s Cottagers last time round.
Thus, the England Under-21 international has certainly proven his worth in the second tier in the last few seasons to suggest that he could be a huge asset to Rowett and his promotion-chasing Stoke squad this season, as they seek an immediate return to the Premier League.
And with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp unlikely to be able to offer him first team football at Anfield, another loan stint in the fiercely competitive Championship can only be a good thing for Ojo’s development.
As such, while Stoke fans are likely to be disappointed at losing Shaqiri, it was inevitable, so to get something out of the deal in Ojo would represent great business by the second tier outfit.
Stoke fans… what do you think? Let us know!
