OPINION
West Ham must go all out to sign Stoke City’s Xherdan Shaqiri as the winger would help unleash Marko Arnautovic’s full potential next season.
CalcioMercato reported on Wednesday that the 26-year-old winger could leave the Potters in the summer, if they’re relegated from the Premier League this season.
Paul Lambert’s side are currently five points away from safety and have only four games left in which to save themselves from the drop.
The Italian news outlet claimed that the Hammers along with Everton and Crystal Palace could all potentially make a move for Shaqiri if he was to seek a summer exit from the Potters.
The left-footed winger, who can excel on either flank as well as play as an attacking midfielder, would be a tremendous signing for David Moyes to make.
Shaqiri is technically gifted and is capable of single-handily turning games on their head in favour of his side.
This is shown by the fact that the 26-year-old has still managed to score seven goals, while creating six this season, despite featuring in a woeful Stoke City side.
The Hammers should be desperately searching for a player capable of being a creative spark in their team for next season, and Shaqiri definitely fits the bill.
However his outstanding talent isn’t the only reason why the Hammers must go all out to beat the Toffees and Palace to his signature.
The 26-year-old previously formed a devastating partnership with current Hammers forward Arnautovic, when the pair played together at Stoke City.
Shaqiri and Arnautovic seemed to be consistently on the same wave length, which helped both excel at the Premier League club, and if reunited then the pair could be sensational together once again.
Arnautovic may have scored nine goals during this campaign for the Hammers, but with Shaqiri being the one to create his chances, his goal tally would surely double next season.
With this is mind the Hammers must go all to win the race for the winger’s signature if he leaves Stoke in the summer, as he would be a revelation at the club next season for many different reasons.