Liverpool to step up Shaqiri interest

Liverpool have received some encouragement about their wish to sign Stoke City’s Xherdan Shaqiri, according to David Maddock of the Mirror, and they are preparing to step up their interest.

As it stands, Liverpool’s pursuit of Lyon’s Nabil Fekir has ended unsuccessfully, but Maddock claims Shaqiri is NOT considered an alternative to Fekir, but rather a move to bolster the attacking options with a winger possessing pace, skills on the ball and an eye for a goal. The fact that Shaqiri was linked with Liverpool even while the Fekir deal seemed imminent supports that theory.

Maddock also claims that the Swiss international is keen on a move to Anfield, but there seems to be some kind of a confusion regarding the reported £12million relegation release clause the Reds believe his Stoke contract contains. Liverpool aren’t likely to pay much above that amount, as manager Jürgen Klopp sees him as a squad-depth addition, rather than a marquee signing.

The Reds are expected to cease all transfer activity for a few weeks, but the deal is set to be negotiated upon Switzerland’s exit from the World Cup.