Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur are ready to go head-to-head in the race to land Stoke City star Xherdan Shaqiri, according to The Mirror.

Shaqiri has a relegation clause of £12m and Mark Hughes is ready to activate that to bring the winger to Southampton.

A host of Premier League clubs have expressed interest in signing the left-footed wide man, who has been the standout performer for Stoke in the last few years.

Following Stoke's relegation to the Championship, Shaqiri is expected to depart with teams such as West Ham United, Everton and Crystal Palace also in the hunt for his services.

These sides have been alerted to his £12m release clause but Southampton appear to be the first team willing to exercise this clause in his contract.

The Switzerland international is set to star in the World Cup in Russia this summer, possibly hoping that he can put himself in the shop window with some top performances.

After netting eight goals in 36 matches last season, the 26-year-old is also on the radar of Spurs, who want to add strength in depth to their attacking midfield options.

Shaqiri has a total of 15 goals and 15 assists in 84 Premier League matches and he has become renowned for his excellent service and free-kick specialities.

The Verdict

Shaqiri would be an asset for most Premier League teams and Stoke are powerless to prevent him from moving.

Given his £12m release clause, it is only a matter of time before he completes a move away, although he may now wait until after the World Cup before leaving.

At Spurs, Shaqiri might struggle to get much game time ahead of the likes of Dele Alli, Son Heung-Min and Christian Eriksen, but he would certainly be guaranteed starts under Hughes at Southampton - the man who brought him to England in the first place.

Stoke fans - Where will Shaqiri be playing next season? Let us know below...