Schalke 04 have admitted that they are plotting a summer move for Inter Milan striker Xherdan Shaqiri.

The 23-year-old has been recently linked with a move away from the San Siro – attracting interest from Premier League side Stoke City, despite joining the Italians just six months ago from the Bundesliga champions – Bayern Munich.

Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt has now confirmed that the club is interested in bringing the Swiss international back to the German League this summer.

“This player is on the market,” Heldt told BILD. “He has exceptional quality. A club like Schalke 04 has to then look into such a player and to explore whether this transfer can be realised. Xherdan could help us so we’re obliged to check out the details.”

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes recently claimed that the Potters was unlikely to sign Shaqiri, despite a £12m fee for the forward had been agreed with the Serie A giants.