Liverpool Transfer News: Xherdan Shaqiri Twist, Latest Ezequiel Lavezzi Rumours

Liverpool are set to play the long game in their pursuit of Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri, according to reports.

The Switzerland star looks set for a January move away from the Allianz Arena because of lack of game time, and, according to Sky Sports, the Reds do have a keen interest in the player. But that doesn’t look likely to result in a January move to Anfield for the 23-year-old.

Instead, it appears Shaqiri might take off to Italy until the summer, when Liverpool will firm up their interest

Here’s a look at what Shaqiri could potentially bring to the Merseyside club:

According to the aforementioned Sky Sports report and Hannah Duncan of Metro, Liverpool will allow Shaqiri to move to Internazionale on loan for the rest of the season before attempting to sign the player on a permanent deal in the summer window. 

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour told The Morning View, per Sky Sports, that Shaqiri would be a shrewd addition for the Reds:

"

He is only 5’6” and Liverpool have a lot small players already, but he has potential and at 23 he is already very experienced for his age. He would be a good signing.

He has played with some top quality players. He always wants the ball, can go past players. Tracking back is probably not his game, but he can create chances.

"

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe agrees:

Shaqiri is a raw, direct player who would add a refreshing edge to Liverpool's play, one that would complement the intricate attributes of the likes of Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho. But is surrendering in January a wise move for the Reds?

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

Encouragingly for the Liverpool supporters, Swiss newspaper Blick, via 101 Great Goals, claims a £10 million agreement is already in place. But the piece also claims Liverpool are struggling to muster the money after a summer splurge of £117 million.

Bleacher Report German football expert Stefan Bienkowski thinks that while Shaqiri would be a big hit at the San Siro, there are a lot of teams in better positions than Inter who could do with his services:

If Liverpool wait until the summer and fail to qualify for the Champions League, Shaqiri—probably on the back of some excellent displays for Inter—may have more attractive options to ponder. By contrast, with a bit of ambition in January from Brendan Rodgers, the 23-year-old could prove the player who expedites Liverpool’s rise toward the top end of the table.

Another talent the Reds have been linked with as a potential midseason option is Ezequiel Lavezzi, per Charles Perrin of the Express. But he is unsure about whether his future lies with Paris Saint-Germain or elsewhere.

“Staying at Paris Saint-Germain?” said the 29-year-old, per La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Football Italia. “I don’t know, we’ll see about it.”

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Laurent Blanc was equally blase about the prospect of players leaving the French champions, per David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com:

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The President has been very eloquent. Requests for our players could arrive but we're in no rush, there is time.

If we have to make certain choices they have to be the right choices.

"

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The Argentina forward’s future has been a hot topic recently. He and Edinson Cavani were late reporting for training on the back of the festive break; the club subsequently sanctioned both players.

But according to l'Equipe, via Bleacher Report French football expert Jonathan Johnson, Lavezzi will not be allowed to leave the Parc des Princes for the time being:

And it’s more bad news when it comes to another Ligue 1 target for the Reds. According to Alex Harris of the Daily Star, Liverpool have harboured a longstanding interest in Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette, but as we can see here, courtesy of French Football Weekly, the player’s agent has claimed he’s staying in France:

One player who looks set to be on his way out of Anfield is Suso. According to Amoyal, the player is poised to sign a four-year deal at the San Siro, which will see him join the club in June. Amoyal claims the Rossoneri are pushing for a January move.

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Liverpool clearly need some kind of impetus going into the second half of the campaign, but if these murmurings are to be believed, it's going to be difficult to negotiate transfers in the coming months. Of all the players mentioned, Shaqiri looks the most reasonable target and, on paper, the best man to spark the Reds into life in the second half of the campaign.