Liverpool have begun formal negotiations with Stoke City over the transfer of Xherdan Shaqiri, according to reports.
The 26-year-old winger has stated his desire to leave his current club following their relegation from the Premier League last season.
Shaqiri has a release clause in his contract which the Daily Telegraph claim is in excess of the £12million figure which has been widely reported.
Liverpool have already spent heavily in the transfer market this summer in the shape of midfielders Naby Keita and Fabinho and Jurgen Klopp is keen to strengthen his forward line with a mind to challenging for the Premier League title.
Klopp's side reached the Champions League final last season but finished a distant 25 points behind record breaking champions Manchester City.
The former Borussia Dortmund manager thought he was close to completing the signing of Lyon playmaker Nabil Fekir earlier this summer, only for the move to break down amid concerns over the France international's fitness.
Shaqiri was signed from Inter Milan by former Stoke manager Mark Hughes for £12m in August 2015 and managed eight goals and seven assists last term, despite his side's struggles.
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