Liverpool have opened talks with Championship side Stoke over a £13m deal for Xherdan Shaqiri, reports The Daily Telegraph.
Shaqiri is free to leave Stoke this summer following their relegation from the Premier League last season and Liverpool have emerged as the clear frontrunners.
The Switzerland international did his reputation no harm with his performances at the 2018 World Cup and is now free to resolve his future after returning from Russia.
Liverpool want to bolster their creative options in the wake of Philippe Coutinho’s departure in January and believe there is no gamble to take with Shaqiri given his £13m release clause.
Jurgen Klopp has not identified Shaqiri as Coutinho’s direct replacement but believes the 25-year-old will enhance his options ahead of the new season at such a low price.
Despite battling relegation all season, Shaqiri still weighed in with a direct hand in 15 league goals for Stoke last season (eight goals, seven assists).
Not only that, but only Eden Hazard (9) has won possession the attacking third more times than Shaqiri (8) at the 2018 World Cup.
