Liverpool seem to be set to let Xherdan Shaqiri leave for a bargain fee as Lyon negotiates with Michael Edwards over his fee.
The stocky forward is pivotal to the Reds ability to go out and sign new players and not because they are so desperate for the €6-8million they could recoup.
But rather because, as a Swiss international, he holds the crucial 17th non-homegrown slot in Liverpool’s Premier League squad.
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, FRANCE – AUGUST 06: (THE SUN OUT. THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Xherdan Shaqiri of Liverpool during a Table Tennis Tournament at Their Pre-Season Training Camp on August 06, 2021 in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
According to reputed Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Shaqiri is ‘very close to’ joining Olympique Lyon on a permanent deal, with the Ligue 1’s current offer standing at €6m.
He says the Reds want €8million and with our sporting director now locked in negotiations with Lyon, it does seem like a matter of time before a is agreed.
According to L’Equipe, Shaqiri has already reached an agreement with Lyon over personal terms and is now just waiting for his current side and his potentially new side to reach an agreement over the fee for things to move forward.
Shaqiri should’ve been given more chances
Taking a step back from transfers to reflect on Shaqiri and his time at Anfield, it feels like he simultaneously achieved so much and could have been so much more on Merseyside.
UNSPECIFIED, AUSTRIA – AUGUST 01: (THE SUN OUT. THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Xherdan Shaqiri of Liverpool during a training session on August 01, 2021 in UNSPECIFIED, France. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Injuries played a part in preventing him from showing what he is capable of but I can’t help remember him leaving the crossbar shaking on his Premier League debut with a thunderous debut.
Who can forget the most fortunate brace that he got against Manchester United to send Liverpool top of the pile in late 2018?
I still remember watching it at home and my roommate, a United fan, coming home and ranting for a good twenty minutes about how lucky we were that Shaqiri had black magic in his boots that day.
But his finest hour for Liverpool, and arguably in his entire career, came against Barcelona when his pinpoint assist found Gini Wijnaldum in the box.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 07: Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool scores his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
The Flying Dutchman was like a man possessed that night as he and Divock Origi sent Liverpool into the Champions League final where the Reds eventually become European champions for the sixth time.
If this is the end, at least Big Shaq bows out as a Red with winners’ medals in the Champions League, the Premier League, the Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
