Interest in Xherdan Shaqiri is expected to ramp up this week, according to Neil Jones, and the Switzerland international wants to join Lazio.
He reported on Twitter: “Interest in Xherdan Shaqiri expected to ramp up this week.
“Sevilla, Villarreal, Lazio and Napoli among clubs to express interest. Liverpool ready to do business at the right price.”
He then reported for Goal: “Shaqiri looks set to depart Liverpool this summer, with Napoli and Lazio among the clubs keen to sign the Switzerland star.”
Now, bizarrely, Shaqiri has publically declared that he wants to move to Lazio where he would join Lucas Leiva.
“It’s true, in 2018 I signed a four-year contract,” he told Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness.
“I told Liverpool that I feel ready for a new challenge. They accepted my wish and will seriously consider the offers that will come. They will not hinder me.”
“I’d love to come back to Italy, and I’d like to play for Lazio”, he added.
Shaqiri leaving imminently could help Liverpool bring in new signings as it will help free up another non-homegrown player slot as well as help generate more funds.
Jones says Liverpool want £15million for the Swiss star which is what Anfield Central reported exactly three weeks ago.
We named Lazio as the favourites to sign the former Stoke star and after he helped Liverpool win the Champions League in 2019, it will be great to see him end his career on a high in Italy.
He’s only 29 so it’s not as though his career is over – Shaqiri has several years left at the top level and with Lucas Leiva now 34, he could spend five years in Serie A like the Brazilian.
Michael Edwards could use the funds generated from selling Shaqiri to bring in Jurgen Klopp’s targets ahead of the start of the 2021/22 Premier League season.