Is Liverpool’s Shaqiri interest dependent on a deal for Fekir?

Follow us on Google Discover

Reports suggest Liverpool are interested in Stoke City’s Xherdan Shaqiri – but does that depend on a deal for Lyon’s Nabil Fekir?

Reports on Wednesday suggest that Liverpool are holding an interest in Stoke City winger Xherdan Shaqiri.

The Swiss international has already confirmed that he intends to leave Stoke following their relegation from the Premier League and his supposed release clause of £12 million will naturally tempt a lot of the top flight.

Liverpool’s interest is arguably a little surprising, however, as Shaqiri doesn’t have the natural attributes that suit Jurgen Klopp’s style. He isn’t a particularly hard worker, not as naturally athletic as his other options, and in a summer where Liverpool are linked with stars, he’s a relatively unambitious target.

But could his arrival hinge on a deal for Nabil Fekir? It’s no real secret that the Lyon captain is Liverpool’s primary target this summer but with negotiations apparently stalling, Shaqiri does offer a stylistic alternative.

As Paul Joyce writes in The Times, “if the release clause is correct, Liverpool at least know the amount he will cost” and that appears to be the big difference here.

Shaqiri represents a known, whereas Fekir is certainly a mystery at this point. Lyon want a large amount but exactly what they’re prepared to accept could take a while to find out.

If Liverpool decide that it’s too much work or that they can’t afford to hang around too long, Shaqiri can be signed quickly with the release clause.

The Reds certainly seem to be after a slightly more maverick forward to give their squad the bit of magic that left with Philippe Coutinho and both Fekir and Shaqiri would give them that, with both operating from the centre or the right.

But Klopp is moving slightly away from the comfort zone to sign that magic, thus it’s difficult to believe he’d want both. And with Fekir being a few levels higher than Shaqiri, perhaps movement on one front requires a loss of patience on the other.