New Southampton manager Mark Hughes is reportedly lining up a £20m summer bid for Stoke City playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri, although any potential move could depend on a number of factors.

The Daily Star says that Saints will only make a move for the Switzerland international if they retain their Premier League status – they are currently two points from safety with eight matches remaining – while the interest is likely to have been influenced by Hughes, who is only on a contract until the end of the season and not guaranteed to stay on at St Mary's even if he keeps the club up.

The 26-year-old, who the fans have already provided their verdict on, is likely to want out of the Britannia Stadium if the Potters – who are one place and one point adrift of the south coast outfit in the standings – are relegated to the Championship, having been one of their most impressive performers this term with seven goals and six assists in 29 top flight appearances.

There is no doubt that Southampton need to strengthen their attacking options before the 2018/19 season if they do avoid the drop given that they have only scored 29 goals in their 30 Premier League matches, and Feyenoord's Steven Berghuis, who is now playing under former Saints boss Ronald Koeman for the Netherlands, should certainly be on their radar.

Here are three reasons why the south coast club must forget Shaqiri and sign the Dutch international instead…

Berghuis secured a permanent move to Feyenoord last summer following a successful loan spell from Watford, and he has been brilliant ever since joining the Rotterdam-based club.

The 26-year-old has scored 25 goals and provided a further 22 assists – predominantly from the right wing – in 75 appearances for the Eredivisie outfit in total, with 17 of those goals and 15 of those assists coming in 38 outings in all competitions this season.

According to WhoScored.com, he has made 71 key passes in 33 appearances in the Dutch top flight and the Champions League this term, while he has successfully completed 74 of the 125 dribbles he has attempted.

However, he has also shown that he isn't afraid of his defensive responsibilities either by winning 34 tackles.

As well as more than 150 appearances in the Eredivisie and 11 caps for his country, the 26-year-old also has experience of playing in the Champions League and the Europa League as well as a brief spell in the Premier League with Watford.

That time at Vicarage Road was hindered by injuries and managerial changes, but at least he wouldn't be completely new to the English top flight.

In addition, Berghuis showed the quality he can bring to the big stage with one goal and two assists in six Champions League group stage appearances earlier this season.

Southampton would likely have to pay at least £20m to sign Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City this summer if they stay up and the Potters are relegated, and they would face plenty of competition for the 26-year-old considering he has played for the likes of Bayern Munich and Inter Milan previously.

Berghuis would certainly be a more attainable player for them given the pull of the Premier League, and Saints would probably fancy their chances of getting the 26-year-old without having to break the club-record transfer fee of £19.2m they paid to sign Guido Carrillo in January.

Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.