One of the more high profile players to be relegated from the Premier League, Stoke City's Xherdan Shaqiri is being linked with a cut price move to Champions League finalists Liverpool.
Paul Joyce of the Times has confirmed Liverpool's interest in the attacker:
— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) June 6, 2018
The Swiss international was relegated with the Potters this season and the 26-year-old is expected to leave the Britannia Stadium this summer.
The former Bayern forward has already made his intentions known that he would prefer to stay in England's top flight following Stoke's demotion to the Championship:
It is no secret that I will leave the club. 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.
Shaqiri is reported to have a release clause of between £12 and £13 million, which would make him an attractive proposition to Liverpool as they seek to add depth to their squad, and while his attitude had been questioned in the season just past, the 'powercube' would undoubtedly add quality to Liverpool's options off the bench.
Liverpool fans reaction to the rumour has been mixed with some supporters questioning Shaqiri's commitment with others arguing that the forward would make a great squad player:
He’s a lazy player can’t seem him working at all, but that’s my opinion
— KingKeita (@GuineanKeita8) June 6, 2018
Great back up winger if he only costs us £12 million.
— SlowMooCow (@PetterTveit) June 6, 2018
It’s on. It’s on like Donkey Kong. If Donkey Kong was Swiss and only 5”4.
— Mo Salah Mo Problems (@Trevski_LFC) June 6, 2018
He’s not coming to start people what’s the problem? Our squad is weak. I would have loved to have Shaqiri as an option in the final when Salah got to injured. People need to look at the bigger picture
— S.O.C (@ScorpioStevie) June 6, 2018
Oh dear ?!!
— محمد عرفي (@Mo3orfy) June 6, 2018
The Reds have already added Brazilian defensive midfiedler Fabinho from Monaco for £43.7 million and are in talks with Lyon over French playmaker Nabil Fekir. There is also heavy speculation that Liverpool will sign a goalkeeper this summer with Roma's Brazilian stopper Alisson Becker a main target for the Anfield club.
Liverpool have also been linked with 22-year-old Nigerian winger Moses Simon, with the Gent winger valued at around £10 million.
