Arsenal fans discuss signing Liverpool player as bargain £12.75m price tag emerges

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Arsenal need an attacking midfielder this summer. Martin Odegaard has returned back to Real Madrid after a decent loan spell at The Emirates. James Maddison remains the most-likely option though Brendan Rodgers has ruled out a move. So, Arsenal fans want Liverpool ace Xherdan Shaqiri.

Odegaard was solid for Arsenal, but hardly caught the Premier League alight and if Arsenal were to sign the Norway international – it is likely to be a similar price tag to the one needed to sign Ben White. So, Arsenal may feel there are better options out there this summer for a smaller fee.

James Maddison is a strongly linked Arsenal target. The Leicester and England attacking midfielder is reportedly keen on a move to North London and Arsenal this summer. Another report claims the Gunners could look to lure Maddison to The Emirates by including an Arsenal player in a deal.

Football London say Arsenal are trying to get Maddison – who is rated at £60million – in a player-plus-cash deal. The 24-year-old was excellent once again last season, producing a huge 21 goal involvements in just 42 games for Leicester. Maddison scored 11 times, and laid on 10 assists for the Foxes.

Why Arsenal need to consider Liverpool star Shaqiri

Maddison is expensive. Yes, he is excellent – but he is a lot of money for the player he is. Also, Brendan Rodgers has dismissed reports of a move stating that the ex-Norwich and Coventry man is happy at the King Power. Arsenal could certainly get a lot more bang for their buck.

Sky Sports report that 29-year-old Liverpool star Shaqiri is available for £12.75million and it is a move Arsenal should consider. That is, because of three reasons. The first, is that for less than £13million – and well under a quarter of Maddison’s asking price – Arsenal would be signing a top player.

Secondly, it would see Shaqiri team up with one of his international teammates in Granit Xhaka. The latter is now remaining at Arsenal after Roma failed to agree a fee for the midfielder. Xhaka and Shaqiri combined to perfection to reach the Euro 2020 quarter-finals earlier this summer.

Lastly, getting Shaqiri would not block the progression of Emile Smith-Rowe. The Hale End academy product needs constant game time to maximise his potential. Without European football, Smith-Rowe will not have the chance to play on a Thursday if he does not feature on a Sunday.

What have Arsenal fans said about Liverpool star Shaqiri?

So, signing Maddison or Odegaard would hamper Smith-Rowe’s progression. But bringing in Shaqiri, who might be willing to play here and there and even offer cover out wide, makes more sense. It would allow Smith-Rowe to remain first choice. Arsenal fans agree.

Fans of Mikel Arteta’s side have taken to Twitter after hearing of the £12.75million asking price and many believe he would be a bargain. Arsenal fans have urged The Gunners to raid Liverpool – despite being a main rival for the top four – and want Shaqiri signed.