Aston Villa fans want Liverpool star as bargain release clause emerges

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Sky Sports have reported that Liverpool are willing to offload Xherdan Shaqiri for a bargain £12.75million this summer. The Reds are looking to raise funds for signings of their own. Aston Villa are about sell Jack Grealish and many have suggested signing Shaqiri on Twitter in the next few weeks.

Villa have been a somewhat surprise package in this summer’s window. Firstly, they staved off competition from Arsenal to raid Norwich City for Emi Buendia. A part of Argentina’s Copa America-winning side, he cost around £30million. Ashley Young returned to the club on a free transfer.

Then, they pulled off an enormous coup in the signing of Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen. The Jamaica international had a hand in 26 goals for the German outfit last season – a real statement. Again, costing around £30million. Danny Ings was then announced on Wednesday, out of the blue.

The Southampton and England striker joins again, for a fee in the region of £30million. With Grealish now expected to join Manchester City, Villa have already spent the majority of the money the £100million they expect to sell Grealish for. But Villa are unlikely to stop, with more signings expected.

Shaqiri can still cut it in the Premier League despite Liverpool stance

Sky Sports state that Liverpool will sell Xherdan Shaqiri but only if offers slightly less than £13million come in for the Swiss ace. Now 29, Shaqiri has been hardly given a fair crack of the whip at Liverpool. That is despite being responsible for some glimpses of magic during his time at Anfield.

His cross for Gini Wijnaldum to score a header in the remarkable Champions League semi-final comeback against Barcelona is up there. But with Liverpool looking to make signings of their own, the ex-Stoke City man is on the transfer list – along with the likes of Divock Origi and more.

But he still has plenty to offer in the Premier League. In 129 games in England’s top flight, Shaqiri has laid on 42 goal involvements – a ratio of around a goal or an assist every three matches. That is, despite only starting 102 of those and completing 90 minutes on 51 occasions.

So, should Liverpool ace Shaqiri join Villa? Villa fans think so…

Responding to reports of his bargain price tag on Twitter, many Villa fans think the addition of Shaqiri makes sense. With Grealish going, Villa have brought in Bailey and Buendia as cover out wide. But Bailey can play on either flank, as a 10 or even as a striker – though Ings reduces his chances.

Villa do have options out wide too. Buendia and Bailey are joined by Anwar El Ghazi and Bertrand Traore as options on the flanks. But Shaqiri has shown that he himself is also versatile, able to play as a number eight in a midfield three or a 10 in a 4-2-3-1. He is cheap, but proven – and versatile.

Villa fans think that at £12.75million, Shaqiri is a bargain for the Midlands club and are desperate to see Johan Lange get his hands dirty again. One fan Tweeted: “Aston Villa are licking their lips”.