Mark Hughes optimistic over Stoke deal to sign Xherdan Shaqiri

Mark Hughes says he is 'hopeful' Stoke will be able to conclude a deal to sign Inter Milan winger Xherdan Shaqiri.

The Switzerland international was at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday and watched Stoke begin their Premier League season with a 1-0 defeat against Liverpool. 

Hughes attempted to sign Shaqiri from Bayern Munich in January, but the 23-year-old opted to join Inter instead, signing a four-year deal at the San Siro. 

But after struggling for form in Italy, Inter are now prepared to let Shaqiri leave and Hughes is optimistic a deal can be struck for him to join Stoke.  

“I hope so. If we can conclude something then we’ll be delighted but nothing is certain in the transfer market when the window is open,” Hughes said.

“We’ve been close in the past and haven’t been able to conclude deals. We’ll have to wait and see.

“We are not allowed that conversation. We’ll just have to wait and see. Sometimes you can get these things done very quickly and other times it takes a little bit longer."

Hughes added in his post-match press conference: "We're hopeful. We've had a pre-season of chasing quality targets. Until you see the player holding a shirt you never know but we're hoping of making something happen - the fact that he's here would suggest that."

When asked if any deal would be permanent, Hughes said: “Yes.”

If Shaqiri does make the move to Stoke, he would become Hughes’ eighth signing of the summer following the additions of Jakob Haugaard, Philipp Wollscheid, Joselu, Marco van Ginkel, Shay Given, Glen Johnson and Ibrahim Afellay.