Stoke City are reportedly considering a summer approach for out-of-favour Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey.

Jonjo Shelvey
Reuters

The 21-year-old had been impressive this season until December, making 14 Premier League appearances and also earning a senior international England cap, during the World Cup qualifier against San Marino in October.

However, the youngster has been the target of criticism from pundits and fans for his performances in the last few months and has recently been frozen out of the Reds' first team by manager Brendan Rodgers

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is now monitoring Shelvey's situation at Anfield and dispatched scouts to watch him in action in a reserve match last week, according to Daily Mirror. The report also claims Liverpool would allow the midfielder to leave for a fee of around £7m; a price that should be acceptable to the Potters.

Pulis signed midfielder Charlie Adam from the Reds last summer. However, the 27-year-old looks set to leave the Britannia at the end of this season, and Shelvey is considered as an ideal replacement, as he fits the Scot's mould and salary.

Jonjo Shelvey
Reuters

Shelvey joined Liverpool from Charlton Athletic in 2010 for an initial fee of £1.7m. He has so far made over 60 appearances for the Merseyside outfit in all competitions, scoring seven times.

Ironically, it was Shelvey's performance in the 3-1 loss against Stoke on Boxing Day that attracted most criticism and caused him to lose his place in the Liverpool line-up.

"I played against Stoke and obviously I didn't have too great a game. I had a few personal issues that were going on in my life. I didn't think I was the only one that had a bad game that day but I was the one that suffered, if you know what I mean," said the midfielder, who thinks he was made a scapegoat for Liverpool's poor showing.

Shelvey's next Premier League start came in the home game against West Bromwich Albion last month. The Reds lost the match 2-0 and the player has been frozen out of top flight action ever since.