Liverpool star on brink of cut-price switch with Chelsea raid planned next

 

Harvey Elliott, Neco Williams, Xherdan Shaqiri, Kostas Tsimikas celebrate scoring first Liverpool goal Carabao Cup third round match v Lincoln at LNER Stadium

Xherdan Shaqiri is on the verge of quitting Liverpool in a move to Lyon with the Ligue 1 side closing in on a transfer agreement with the Reds.

Of all the traditional top six clubs this summer, Liverpool have been the quietest in the transfer market thus far. Ibrahima Konate arrived for £36m to ensure their defensive debacle of last year will not happen again. But beyond the Frenchman, Reds transfer news has mainly focussed on who will leave.

Georginio Wijnaldum left for PSG as a free agent. Furthermore, squad players Harry Wilson, Marko Grujic, Taiwo Awoniyi. Liam Millar and Kamil Grabara all left on permanent deals to generate approximately £33m.

That pot is now expected to be increased by approximately £6.8m with the departure of enigmatic Swiss star Shaqiri.

We reported on Tuesday how a move to France was generating traction after Lyon lodged an opening offer.

And while their initial bid was quickly rejected, they are now said to have increased that offer.

Indeed, as per trusted Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Shaqiri ‘is very close to Lyon on a permanent deal’. He states they have offered €6m to Liverpool, with the Reds holding out for nearer €8m. 

And that figure is expected to not pose Lyon too much hassle and it’s believed an agreement is now close.