Liverpool have told Stoke City to pay a staggering £7 million for winger Oussama Assaidi.
Stoke are planning to sign Assaidi this summer after the Morocco international impressed on loan but have been left stunned by Liverpool’s opening valuation.
Liverpool are keen to boost the funds available to manager Brendan Rodgers as they prepare for the Champions League and are determined to raise around £30 million through player sales.
Rodgers is happy to sell Assaidi, a £3.5 million signing from Heerenveen in August 2012, but Liverpool are demanding a significant fee for the 25 year-old.
Stoke believe the valuation is unrealistic and are confident of haggling with Liverpool in a bid to lower the price to a more acceptable level.
Mark Hughes, the manager, has already signed Phil Bardsley from Sunderland on a free transfer and is set to complete a deal for long-term target Mame Biram Diouf.
Stoke have agreed a three-year deal with Diouf, who will leave Hannover this summer, and will announce the transfer next month.
Written by Steve Milne
