Stoke star Xherdan Shaqiri responds to Roma speculation

Ashley Colbourn
Xherdan Shaqiri: Winger celebrates against Hull

Stoke City attacker Xherdan Shaqiri has told the media in Switzerland there has been no interest in his services from Roma and he is ‘comfortable’ in England. 

Shaqiri, 25, joined the Potters in 2015 for what was a club-record fee of £12million, but has failed to hit the ground running under boss Mark Hughes.

The Swiss international has scored just seven goals in his 48 Premier League appearances, with both of his campaigns being affected by injury problems.

Reports in Italy suggested that Roma have identified Shaqiri as the ideal candidate to replace Mohamed Salah, who joined Liverpool in a £36.8million deal last week.

He told the newspaper Blick: “You know more than I do. I have not heard from AS Roma and still have a long-term contract with Stoke. I feel very comfortable in England, and there is nothing more to say.

“No-one knows what the future holds, but I am very satisfied with Stoke and have a contract until 2020.”

Shaqiri has 62 Switzerland caps to his name, and although his goalscoring record in England isn’t the most impressive, his goals are often spectacular ones.

With three years left on his contract, it looks unlikely that the midfielder will move, with both himself and Mark Hughes having denied rumours of a ‘falling out’.