Liverpool Steal March On Man Utd After Opening Formal Talks To Sign 26-Year-Old Star

The summer transfer window is open and managers are working hard on their transfer targets so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, Liverpool are looking to beat Man Utd to the signing of Xherdan Shaqiri…

Liverpool have stolen a march on Manchester United after opening formal transfer talks with Stoke City to sign Xherdan Shaqiri this summer, according to reports via TeamTalk.

Shaqiri began his career at Basel and came through their youth system before joining Bayern Munich in 2012 and he won a number of trophies during his time in Germany including 2 Bundesliga titles and the Champions League.

A disappointing 6-month spell at Inter Milan led to Shaqiri joining Stoke in 2015 and the Switzerland international has rediscovered some of his best form during his time in England having provided 15 goals and 15 assists in his 92 appearances for the Potters.

However, the attackers future at the Bet365 Stadium is in serious doubt as he’s expressed his desire to leave Stoke after they were relegated to the Championship following a 19th-placed finish in the Premier League last season.

Shaqiri has a relegation release clause worth around £12-£13m in his contract so understandably there is no shortage of interest and TeamTalk reported earlier this month that Manchester United had joined Liverpool in the race to sign the attacker.

Jose Mourinho has already made three signings this summer but the Portuguese coach knows he needs to further strengthen his squad if United are to compete with Manchester City next season and Shaqiri could be viewed as a potential replacement for Anthony Martial – who’s been linked with a move away from Old Trafford.

However, it looks like Liverpool have stolen a march on United as TeamTalk are now citing reports from TransferMarketWeb that claims the Merseysiders have now opened formal transfer talks with Stoke about signing Shaqiri.

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These reports are supported by the Telegraph who also claim that Liverpool are in negotiations with Stoke and Jurgen Klopp has urged the club to trigger the players release clause to get a deal wrapped-up quickly.

Klopp is in the market for another attacker as he’s yet to find a replacement for Philippe Coutinho and Shaqiri would provide Liverpool with another top class option in the final third if they can lure him to Anfield.

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We’ll have to wait and see whether United now step-up their interest to try and hijack their rivals proposed deal but as it stands it looks like Liverpool are in pole position to sign Shaqiri and I think he’d be a solid addition to their squad.