Liverpool consider Xherdan Shaqiri move Paul Joyce, Paul Hirst, Gary Jacob
June 6 2018, 5:00pm,
The Times
Liverpool hold an interest in Xherdan Shaqiri as Jürgen Klopp looks to bolster his squad by recruiting two more attacking players.
Nabil Fekir remains the main target, although Lyons have so far refused to set a definitive price for the talented France international which has complicated discussions. Shaqiri has said he will leave Stoke City following their demotion to the Championship and is reputed to have a release clause in the region of £12 million to £13 million.
The Switzerland attacker has said he wants to remain in England and that price tag would appeal to a number of clubs with Everton and Southampton also weighing up a move for the 26-year-old. Mark Hughes, the Southampton manager, signed Shaqiri for Stoke in 2015. “It is no secret that I will leave the club,” said Shaqiri. “I think the [Premier] league is perfect for me. I would love to stay in England but I don’t want to rule anything out. It’s the best league with the best players.”
Klopp has no specific plans to sign an out-and-out No 9 this summer and so wants versatile, attacking players who would increase the competition with Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino after they carried the burden for Liverpool last season. Discussions will continue on whether to proceed with the interest in Shaqiri and, if the release clause is correct, Liverpool at least know the amount he will cost. Fekir has been rated at around £53 million, but Lyons’ refusal to actually name their price makes the pursuit of him more difficult. The success of Liverpool’s recent transfer dealings with Firmino, Mané and Salah — the trio were signed for combined initial fees of £94.9 million — means clubs do not want to be seen as the next team to have sold on the cheap.
Roma are also proving difficult over goalkeeper Alisson, who is Liverpool’s first choice, while Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak has an £88 million release clause. Klopp has already recruited £52 million Naby Keïta and £39.3 million Fabinho.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/liverpool-consider-xherdan-shaqiri-move-9nl3jwgj6 [ 此帖被羅力亞在2018-07-14 05:26重新編輯 ]
