Liverpool reportedly beat Manchester United to signing Xherdan Shaqiri.
According to Swiss newspaper Blick, Manchester United wanted to sign Xherdan Shaqiri this summer, but Liverpool swooped before the Red Devils could even hold talks.
United endured a fairly frustrating summer as they were only able to bring in Lee Grant, Diogo Dalot and Fred, leaving Jose Mourinho without key signings.
A centre back was clearly wanted, but United didn’t land one, and another winger didn’t arrive to boost the United squad either as Mourinho cut a frustrated figure throughout pre-season.
Now, Swiss newspaper Blick are reporting that United did want to sign Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City, but Liverpool got in to sign him before Mourinho could even speak to him.
Liverpool landed Shaqiri in a bargain deal worth just £13million, and the report claims that United – as well as Southampton and West Ham United – were keen to sign him too.
However, having spoken to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, Shaqiri made his mind up quickly, and chose a move to Anfield before the other clubs could make their pitches to the winger.
Shaqiri, 26, hit eight goals and seven assists in 36 Premier League games last season as Stoke were relegated to the Championship, and started his Liverpool career on the bench against West Ham on Sunday.
If the reports in Shaqiri’s homeland are true, Liverpool will be delighted to have pipped United to his signature – even if he is clearly just a depth option out wide for Klopp at this stage.
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