Two clubs reportedly in talks for £20m-rated Liverpool ace, Leeds have to be one – TBR View

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Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri was missing from Liverpool’s matchday squad to take on Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night, with two clubs reportedly in talks – and Leeds United have got to be one of those interested parties.

Shaqiri, 28, is some way down the pecking order at Anfield – with a mix of injuries and heavy competition limiting him to just 42 Reds appearances since joining the club in the summer of 2018 from Stoke. He was expected to play against Arsenal.

But Jurgen Klopp confirmed after the match that he was told to withdraw Shaqiri from the side, with Goal now claiming two unnamed clubs are in talks to sign the Swiss set-piece specialist. It is believed Liverpool will sanction a £20million move.

Leeds need to be one of those two sides. The Whites need a partner for Mateusz Klich in midfield, with a deal for Bayern Munich star Michael Cuisance falling through on Thursday after a failed medical. A move was worth £18million, as per the Mail.

The Whites have been in talks for Norwich’s Todd Cantwell and Udinese’s Rodrigo De Paul, but with three days left to go in the window – they are yet to make a signing in that position. With Cuisance staying at Bayern, Leeds need a signing.

Why not Shaqiri? The former Stoke man has Premier League experience, quality from set-pieces, the ability to score and create and is available for the same price as Cuisance – give or take. Surely, with options running out, Leeds need him.

Coming into the 2020-21 season, Leeds only have four players that have previous Premier League experience – in Adam Forshaw, Pablo Hernandez, Patrick Bamford and Helder Costa. Adding another name to that list is important.

So, splashing £20million on Shaqiri is a no-brainer for Leeds. They should be one of the two interested sides.