Let us take a break from the World Cup shall we, and look at an interesting transfer story. According to the Daily Star, Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester United are in a £12million battle to sign Stoke playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri.
The Swiss star has only recently exited the World Cup with his national side at the last-16 stage. However, before the World Cup, he made it clear that staying in the Premier League this summer was his preference after Stoke relegation to the Championship.
Liverpool favourites to sign Shaqiri
Shaqiri was a reported Liverpool transfer target before the World Cup. It seems the Reds are now ready to make a concrete move. There were reports yesterday that the playmaker had a medical at Melwood.
However, it seems those reports were premature, but there are now rumours that the Swiss star could complete the move later today to Merseyside. The signing would be a bit of a coup for the Reds if they signed him ahead of Manchester United.
A low-risk signing
Whether Shaqiri moves to Manchester United, or as expected Liverpool, his signing is a low-risk move for either club. Shaqiri is a highly-talented, but enigmatic player who blows hot and cold.
His form at Stoke has been highly inconsistent, which follows the pattern of his career thus far. He was inconsistent at Bayern Munich before his eventually switch to the Potteries, that is why he joined the Potters.
If he had slightly more consistency and maybe a better attitude, then he would have still been playing for Bayern. He has not quite fulfilled his potential during his career so far, but at 26, he still has a lot to give.
Despite his inconsistency, a fee of around £12million looks like a bargain for whoever signs him, especially when you look at some of last summer’s crazy transfer fees. If Reds boss Jurgen Klopp can coax slightly more consistency out of the Switzerland international, then he could prove to be one of the signings of the summer.
Will be a squad player at Liverpool
It is hard to work out where Shaqiri will fit in at Liverpool. The Reds front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are undisputed first choice in the forward positions.
It seems that Shaqiri has joined the Merseysiders as a squad player unless Klopp is planning to change his tactics this season. Next season will be a long one for Liverpool, as they attempt to challenge for the Premier League title while enjoying another long Champions League campaign.
Even as a squad player, Shaqiri should get a fair amount of games next season. Ironically, he would maybe have a better chance of first-team football at United under Mourinho.
One thing seems inevitable, Shaqiri is destined to stay in the north west and carry on plying his trade in the Premier League. Hopefully, for the player’s sake, he can find a better level of consistency and start to fulfil some of his supposed potential.
Will Xherdan Shaqiri be a good signing for Liverpool this season?