KEY POINTS

  • Xherdan Shaqiri opts to focus on Euro 2020 and will address his future plans after
  • Shaqiri may leave Liverpool and join a team where he could have a better playing time
  • Teams in pursuit of Shaqiri will need to fork out big money for the Swiss

Xherdan Shaqiri prefers to focus on Euro 2020 and then address his future afterwards.

The Swiss footballer made this clear when he was quizzed on what the future holds during a press conference ahead of Switzerland’s Euro 2020 clash with Italy.

“At the moment I don’t really want to talk about it,” Shaqiri stated. “I have a contract there and after the Euros, of course, I will talk to my agent and then we will look at the situation. Then we will decide how to continue.”

Although the 29-year-old has two years remaining in his deal, the word going around is that several teams are interested in Shaqiri.

Among the teams linked to the midfielder include Lazio who had wanted to sign him last summer.

A reason behind a potential switch for Shaqiri is playing time. With Liverpool, the Swiss player has had only 18 Engish Premier League appearances since coming over from Stoke for £13 million ($18 million) in 2018.

He only had seven starts last season under the watch of head coach Jurgen Klopp.

But a problem for teams who cover Shaqiri is his salary. The Reds pay him over £80,000-a-week ($112,000), numbers that Lazio or any other club may find hard to match.

Furthermore, Liverpool would prefer a cash deal for the Swiss footballer and is unlikely to have to subsidize his salary.

Considering he has been performing well with the Swiss team in Euro 2020, the money owed to Shaqiri would be the investment.

He remains one of the game’s best players and deserves a break and is considered one of the best No. 10's in Europe according to Italian mentor Roberto Mancini.

Xherdan Shaqiri
Bayern Munich and Switzerland winger Xherdan Shaqiri could be on his way to Liverpool, even after he insisted on remaining in Germany. Reuters

In Switzerland’s game against Wales, Shaqiri created an assist before he was substituted.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Team manager Vladimir Petkovic explained why he pulled out the player.

Petkovic explained that he was saving Shaqiri for their other matches and wanted to create more stability in the midfield, the Guardian reported.

“We became a little more passive, but this is not only our fault because Wales had to risk more and they had to put in a stronger performance,” Petkovic pointed out.

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