Swiss attacker Xherdan Shaqiri has told Liverpool his wish to leave, with Merseyside the club ready to accept bids of around £15 million.
Xherdan Shaqiri has always divided opinions when it comes to club football. Apart from his time at FC Basel early in his career and a brief flurry at Stoke City, the Swiss attacker has struggled to make a significant mark at the clubs he played.
The Swiss international has only managed 63 games in all competitions for Liverpool since signing from Stoke City in a £12 million deal. Shaqiri, 29, believes there is plenty of time left in his career and would like to pursue another challenge, where he will play with regularity. The Reds, on their part, are already looking at replacement options.
Shaqiri wanted to leave Liverpool in 2020, but Jurgen Klopp, chasing the Premier League title, wanted everyone on board. The pandemic then caused plenty of problems last summer for most clubs, and most were unsure about investing in players with an uncertain climate all around. However, there’s some sense of normalcy in the current window, and Shaqiri would like to move away at long last.
Liverpool are also ready to evaluate offers for the Swiss attacker, with many clubs seemingly interested in signing him. Spanish clubs Sevilla and Villareal are joined by Serie A clubs Lazio and Napoli in the chase for Shaqiri. However, the Swiss attacker’s preference would be a move back to Italy.
Xherdan Shaqiri tells Liverpool he wants to leave this summer#LFC https://t.co/F17GkWFJCj pic.twitter.com/NrvP61VNyL
— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) July 26, 2021
Liverpool Echo have published quotes from Shaqiri’s interview with Italian publication Corriere Dello Sport, wherein he opened up on his current situation and gave glimpses of his talks with the club. Shaqiri said, “I told Liverpool board I feel ready for a new challenge,” They accepted my decision and will now consider bids to sell me. Liverpool won’t stop me this summer.”
“The important thing at this moment in my career is to be able to play regularly, but that hasn’t always been the case in the last three seasons. I’m only 29 years old, I have played in some of the best Leagues in Europe, and I would like to continue being a part of them.”
“I’m not yet thinking about the end of my career; it’s a future I imagine far away. We will see what destiny has in store for me. I have no direct contact; my consultant team deals with the market. They inform me when there are clubs interested; you have to ask them for the names.”
Shaqiri also named the side he would love to join over other interested clubs. Lazio are his preferred choice, and the Italian side are also reportedly interested. However, it is unclear if the Biancocelesti will be able to match Liverpool’s asking price of £15 million for the Swiss star.
Shaqiri continued, “Igli Tare (sporting director) has been doing an excellent job at Lazio for years. “If it’s true that he has great respect for me, then I’m honoured. I have been following Lazio for a long time; they are a top team. In general, due to my characteristics, I like to play more attacking football, and Maurizio Sarri practices it. It would be intriguing.”
So it all seems pretty straightforward from around here. Pay Liverpool’s asking price, and any club can have Shaqiri, especially if the team in question is Lazio. The Swiss attacker will certainly be an asset to Maurizio Sarri’s side if the transfer could happen before the window closes.
