Rumour: Liverpool demand £7million for Stoke City target Oussama Assaidi

Oussama Assaidi of Stoke City celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Everton at Britannia Stadium

Liverpool have put a £7 million price tag on Oussama Assaidi’s head after Stoke City expressed an interest in signing the midfielder on a permanent basis, report the Telegraph.

The 25-year-old impressed during a successful season long loan spell at the Britannia stadium during the last campaign and manager Mark Hughes made no secret of his desire to secure the services of the winger if he was deemed surplus to requirements by the Merseysiders.

Kop chief Brendan Rodgers is keen to boost his attacking options ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League campaign next season and plans to fund his flurry of new additions with the sale of several fringe players within his squad.

The Moroccan international has been told that he can leave the club as a result but Liverpool are now demanding a fee of £7 million, which represents a large increase on the £3.5 million they paid Dutch side Heerenveen for Assaidi just two years ago.

Stoke do not believe that the player is worth such a sizeable sum and are unwilling to bow to Liverpool’s valuation.

However, with Assaidi producing a number of memorable displays for Hughes’ side last season the Welshman is confident that he can renegotiate the deal and lower the price towards his own valuation in order to secure one of his primary targets.

Stoke have already announced the signing of Phil Bardsley from Sunderland and are reportedly close to agreeing a deal for former Manchester United striker Mame Biram Diouf as they look to build on the ninth place Premier League finish that was achieved last term.