Transfer Rumors: Lyon Makes Initial Bid For Disgruntled Liverpool Winger

KEY POINTS

Lyon approaches Liverpool's Xherdan Shaqiri
Shaqiri has fallen out of favor with Liverpool
Lazio and Napoli are also in pursuit of Shaqiri

Olympique Lyonnais has been in the Ligue 1 title picture for quite some time now but has failed to capture it since the 2007-08 season, thanks to improving competition and some misfires along the way.

The club finished in fourth place last season as it watched Lille upset perennial favorites Paris Saint-Germain for the Ligue 1 title.

Lyon has been consistently at the upper half of the league, but the club believes it now has a squad that can compete for the top of the table.

They have since identified Liverpool striker Xherdan Shaqiri as their newest transfer target as they look to pluck the disgruntled winger away from Anfield.

Shaqiri joined Liverpool on a five-year deal in 2018 after stints with Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Stoke City.

According to L’Equipe, Liverpool is hoping that Lyon’s approach for Shaqiri means that they’ll be able to recover around £13.75 million ($19 million) to let the Swiss winger play elsewhere.

Shaqiri’s year-by-year role in the club has been diminishing and has found himself on the bottom of Jurgen Klopp’s pecking order.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expressed concerns about the new league's competitiveness POOL / LEE SMITH

Shaqiri admitted that he wants to leave the club due to this development, and a move to Lyon may be the best for him.

The Athletic reports that Lyon has already made an initial bid for Shaqiri, but that is way short of Liverpool’s rumored asking price.

Lyon is not alone in their pursuit of Shaqiri as Serie A clubs Lazio and Napoli have also identified the striker as a potential target.

There are no reports yet of Lyon planning to improve their bid.

Shaqiri has gone on record in the past about his love for Italian football as he had his heart set on a move to Serie A in a statement with Italian publication Corriere dello Sport.

“I told the Liverpool board that I feel ready for a new challenge. They accepted my decision and will now consider bids to sell me,” he said.

“Who is not in love with the Italian lifestyle? What is really striking is the Italian love for football. It is life in Italy. The fans are incredible.”