It looks like Liverpool are closing in on their third signing of this transfer window, with Sky Sports and the Liverpool Echo reporting that the Reds have opened talks with Stoke over Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri.
James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo reports that the Reds have opened discussions with the Stoke player, who is believed to have a release clause around £13.5 million.
The Swiss playmaker spoke about his future after his team's exit from the World Cup, stating that “You are going to hear soon on my future".
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 has also been linked with a move to Manchester United following an impressive World Cup, but it looks like Liverpool have stolen a march on their Premier League rivals.
Shaqiri's whose contract at the Potters runs until 2020, scored 15 goals in 92 appearances for the club over three seasons.
The arrival of 'Der Kraftwürfel' (the Powercube) would provide welcome depth for the Liverpool attack for the upcoming season, with the Reds heavily reliant upon the attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane in their 2017/18 campaign.
