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Even though the Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has just said Xherdan Shaqiri is not for sale, it seems the news wasn’t taken very seriously in Italy.

The website Tutto Mecato Web has an exclusive story today saying Roma are targeting the Swiss international to replace Juan Manuel Iturbe at the club.

Shaqiri would be open to talk to Roma and hear the offers, according to the report, which only makes them more confident about finding a deal.

Iturbe’s destination is still uncertain. The website claims that he could have a market in Spain or England, and as Shaqiri’s arrival is related to the Argentine’s departure, the sale must be sorted before any attempts of a deal with Stoke.

What Tutto Mercato Web doesn’t say is that Shaqiri has a Stoke City contract until 2020, and given Mark Hughes’ desire to see him staying, Roma will have to work hard to convince the Potters.

Could they afford that?