Schalke could look to beat a host of top clubs to the signing of Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri, FootballDirectNews.com understands.
The Swiss international has not managed to make much of an impact at the Allianz Arena since joining from FC Basel, where he had become regarded as one of the most promising young players in Europe.
The 22-year-old has since been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United ahead of this summer’s transfer window, though a German football insider now believes he is a top target in mind for fellow Bundesliga side Schalke if they lose one of their star players. Schalke, who currently sit third in the German top flight, face the likely departure of highly-rated youngster Julian Draxler this summer, with Paris Saint-Germain the latest club said to be leading the running for his signature, while Arsenal were known to be keen on signing him in January.

Shaqiri’s skill and playmaking abilities could make him a good like-for-like replacement for Draxler, and Bayern may be willing to allow him to leave, even if it is to a join one of their rivals. Napoli’s Marek Hamsik has also previously been linked with Schalke as a possible alternative to Draxler.