Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has refused to give up on his pursuit of Liverpool winger Oussama Assaidi despite the player’s excessive salary demands.
Moroccan international Assaidi impressed the Potters boss during his loan spell last season and Hughes has made it a top priory to bring the 25-year-old to the Britannia Stadium on a permanent basis for their 2014/2015 league campaign.
Stoke have been in talks with Liverpool and the player’s agent since the opening of the summer transfer window and are believed to be going round and round in circles.
The biggest stumbling block for the Potters is believed to be Assaidi’s eye-watering salary demands – £45,000 a week – which is deemed excessive for a player who has struggled to get a look in with the Liverpool first team. He has made just four appearances since he signed to the club in 2012.
Hughes has denied recent reports that have suggested the midlands-based outfit are stumbling over the deal and about to quit while they’re ahead and is still optimistic of signing the Moroccan.
“It’s on-going and these things happen. Everybody knows we are interested and that is still the case,” he told local newspaper The Stoke Sentinel.
Assaidi made 19 appearances for Stoke as an on-loan player last season, featuring in both Premier League and League Cup fixtures. He scored five goals – against Birmingham City, Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton and Fulham.
Hughes is understood to be keen to mould the player into his regular starting eleven, should the club get a positive outcome to their negotiations before the transfer window draws to a close.