Reds readying Xherdan Shaqiri move
Liverpool will reportedly ramp up their efforts to sign Stoke City's Xherdan Shaqiri once his World Cup finishes - but the winger is not a direct replacement for Nabil Fekir.
Liverpool are also keen to recruit depth out wide as they look to ensure they have ample back-up for their front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane - who plundered a combined 91 goals last term.
And according to the Daily Mirror’s David Maddock, Liverpool will look to wrap up a deal for Shaqiri - whose Stoke side were relegated from the Premier League last month.
But they will not make a formal approach until after the World Cup with Shaqiri representing Switzerland in Russia over the coming weeks.
Stoke are thought to be willing to let their star man go for a reasonable price and the Mirror say that Shaqiri is keen to make the move to Anfield.
It has been widely reported that Shaqiri has a relegation release clause in his Potters contract that allows him to exit the Potteries for a fee in the region of £12million.
The Mirror add that Liverpool are keen to keep the deal at a low sum with Shaqiri only seen as an alternative to Salah and Mane out wide as opposed to a first-choice option.
But 26-year-old Shaqiri, formerly of Bayern Munich, is viewed as a bargain and supplied eight goals and seven assists last season despite playing in a goal-shy Stoke side.
Source: Daily Express
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