Xherdan Shaqiri Transfer News: Potters Join Race to Sign Liverpool and Inter Milan Target

Liverpool are set to face competition from Stoke City who have also shown interest in signing Xherdan Shaqiri during the January transfer window.

The Bayern Munich star has also attracted interest from Serie A giants, Inter Milan, who were just a few days ago touted as favourites to sign the Swiss international.

With Stoke City joining the race to sign the highly rated Swiss star, it has become a three way horse race to sign the 'Alpine Messi'.

Declaring Stoke's interest in the Alpine Messi, its assistant manager Mark Bowen told BBC Radio, "He's definitely on the list, but there is competition for a player of his ability,"

"There are other clubs interested, but it doesn't mean we rule ourselves out.

"There are many boxes to tick, not least the financial side of it, and with Shakiri coming from one of the best, if not the best, clubs in the world, there's a lot of persuasion to get it over the line."

With the Swiss player not being given much playing time by Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola, he could well be on his way out of the Allianz Arena. He has not been able to prove his credentials, as Bayern possesses a number of international stars, sidelining him to the bench.

Shaqiri has not been able to find a starting place in Bayern's line up, even when some key Bayern figures were injured.

But if the player decides to join any of the three teams mentioned above, he is almost guaranteed a game every week.

Shaqiri has too much of talent to be left on the bench. His performance in the 2014 World Cup helped him prove himself as a top footballer.

Liverpool even put in a bid of 20 million Euros during the summer, but Bayern Munich turned down their offer for the star player.

Now even Swiss team former national coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has come out in the open and said it is time for the Bayern star to quit Bayern Munich.

"The time has come where it is best for Xherdan to leave the club. He needs a new challenge. It is important for him now to make the next step in his development and be a starter on a regular basis," he said, according to Blick. 

"We saw in the past six months or so that Guardiola did not trust him for the full 100 per cent, even when Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben were injured. It was not easy for him that he still did not feature from the start then.

"Xherdan has also benefited from Guardiola's arrival, but it was clear that the coach never really fully supported him."

Shaqiri joined Bayern Munich after his impressive spell with FC Basel in 2012. But, his lack of game time ever since might force the Swiss star to quit Bayern.