Unfit And Unwanted Why Would Hammers Pay £23 M For Shaqiri?

Xherdan Shaqiri was available for a £13.5 Million transfer fee following Stoke City's relegation, however he didn't interest Manuel Pellegrini, he eventually signed for Liverpool where he initially fared well and looked a real bargain, but his waste line went up as his confidence level went down, he ended the season having only scored 6 times with 5 assists to his credit in 30 appearances.

There is a story currently doing the rounds that West Ham United are interested in bringing Shaqiri to the London Stadium, with a figure of £23 Million being mentioned, far too rich for a club that will struggle to finance to equal last season's spending.

If the Hammers manager had wanted to reunite Shaqiri with his former Stoke team mate Marko Arnautovic he would have sanctioned the move, but there were questions about the Swiss player's fitness and whether he could comply with the Pellegrini template.

Xherdan Shaqiri is only 27 years old, but he looks a lot older than Mark Noble! Perhaps when he and Marko Arnautovic first linked up they were rather special, but Arnautovic, despite being the elder of the two, looks a lot leaner and meaner.

Perhaps he represented a bit of a bargain at £13.5 Million, but at near double that fee after a disappointing season Hammers should give him a wide berth. - Ed