Liverpool transfer news: Reds open talks with Stoke over £13.5m move for Xherdan Shaqiri

Swiss international has expressed his desire to stay in the Premier League after getting relegated with Stoke

Liverpool are in talks with Stoke about a deal to bring Switzerland international Xherdan Shaqiri to Anfield.

The winger is understood to have a £13.5m release clause in his contract due to Stoke's relegation from the Premier League, with the winger ready to leave the club rather than spend the next season in the Championship.

Jürgen Klopp is thought to keen on signing Shaqiri as a quality back up to the front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

Shaqiri, 26, recently expressed his desire to remain in the Premier League and missed just two of Stoke’s league matches in their relegation season. “Of course, I would like to play on the biggest stage in football,” he said. “Everybody knows that.”

Reports suggest that Stoke are interested in one of Liverpool’s young players who could make up part of a deal. Harry Wilson or Sheyi Ojo could join Stoke on loan and have impressed Klopp in pre-season.

Ojo spent last season on loan at Fulham and Klopp hinted he is willing to let him leave on loan again. “The boys, we need them. We play the games, we have the training sessions, and then let's see how it fits at the end,” said Klopp of his young players. "But it's all about the boys, my door is wide open so why should I make a decision today?”

Liverpool have already signed Fabinho from Monaco for £43.7m and welcomed Naby Keita from RB Leipzig after a deal was agreed last summer.

Back up for the front three will be essential if Liverpool are to compete in the Premier League and Champions League. Salah was injured in the Champions League final and struggled for fitness in the two World Cup games he played in Russia.