Amid reports of a potential move to Serie A this summer, Xherdan Shaqiri has confirmed plans to leave Liverpool.
Xherdan Shaqiri has revealed that Liverpool have accepted his request to leave the club in search of a new challenge.
The 29-year-old has struggled to win a regular starting berth at Anfield since a €14.7 million switch from Stoke City in 2018. In fact, he started just five times in the Premier League alone last season.
But an impressive showing for Switzerland in Euro 2020 has boosted Shaqiri’s prospects. The winger scored three times in five outings, prompting reported interest from Serie A side Lazio.
“The important thing at this moment in my career is to be able to play regularly, but that hasn’t always been the case in the last three seasons,” he told Corriere dello Sport.
“This is why I told Liverpool that I feel ready for a new challenge. They accepted my wish and will seriously consider the offers that will come. They will not stop me.”
Liverpool have raised €21.5 million from player exits this summer so far. And as Shaqiri is out of contract in 2023, on top of his strong showing in Euro 2020, now is an ideal moment to sell the Swiss at full price.
Shaqiri is also open to the prospect of a return to Serie A, having briefly played in the Italian top-flight for Inter Milan in 2015.
“I think it’s not just my opinion that football in Italy has developed substantially in recent years,” he said.
“The win at the European Championship is there to prove it, a well-deserved result.
“[Lazio sporting director] Igli Tare has been doing an excellent job at Lazio for years. If it’s true that he has great respect for me, then I’m honored.
“I have been following Lazio for a long time. They are a top team. Due to my characteristics, I like to play more attacking football, and [Lazio manager Maurizio] Sarri practices it. It would be intriguing.”
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