While it hasn’t been a big transfer story, Roma’s interest in Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiri has been a recurring feature in the Italian press.
There weren’t a lot of actual details going around, with most of the stories suggesting the Serie A side wanted a loan deal for the Switzerland international, but Jürgen Klopp’s side weren’t keen on that type of deal.
This all came after Nicolo Zaniolo’s untimely knee ligament injury, leaving Roma a man short in attack, meaning a temporary deal would suit them better while he recovers after his surgery.
The Italians’ original idea was to offer a loan with a view to buy, taking into account the fact Shaqiri has quite hefty wages (around €5m/year), but Liverpool, should they agree to let him leave, would only do so permanently.
Gazzetta dello Sport claim the Premier League leaders want €15m for the Swiss, but they would also have to talk Klopp into allowing him to leave, as the German manager is reportedly ‘not convinced’ about losing the player at this moment in time.
This is a contrast to what is being reported in England, with the Times’ Paul Joyce stating Liverpool would ask for around €30m in the summer.
Liverpool have told AS Roma and Sevilla they will not loan Xherdan Shaqiri in this transfer window. It is likely Liverpool would seek €30m euros for any permanent deal in the summer.
— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) January 21, 2020
Conflicting claims, and, regardless of who you believe, a lot of hurdles for Roma to overcome still, meaning they might find more luck with their other target: former Manchester United starlet Adnan Januzaj.
