Monday, July 26, 2021 at 13:14• Rian Rosendaal

Xherdan Shaqiri aims to leave Liverpool. The attacking midfielder has a permanent contract at Anfield until mid-2022, but taking on a new challenge at another club seems like a better option. Shaqiri has never managed to secure a permanent place under manager Jürgen Klopp in the past four seasons. Meanwhile, Lazio and Napoli are keeping a close eye on the situation around the Swiss.

Shaqiri talks to Corriere dello Sport about his wish to leave Liverpool a year before the expiry of his contract. “At this stage of my career it is just very important that I get to play regularly. Unfortunately, that has not been the case in the past three seasons,” the midfielder refers to his situation at the Reds. “That is why I have also told Liverpool that I am ready for a new challenge. That request has been accepted by the club and offers that come in will therefore be treated seriously. Liverpool will not stop me.”

“I do not have direct contact with Liverpool, my management takes care of that. They let me know when clubs officially report to me and can possibly go into specific names,” adds Shaqiri. The playmaker is pleased that Lazio seems to be serious in the market. “Igli Tare (technical director, ed.) has been doing fantastic work there for years. If he is really charmed by me, that is a great honour. I have been following Lazio for a long time, it is really a top team. I am a fan of attacking football and that’s exactly how Maurizio Sarri lets Lazio play. It would be a lot to be able to play there.”

Shaqiri wants to remain active in a top competition anyway. “I am now 29 years old and I have played in the best competitions in Europe. I would like to continue to do so. I am not thinking about the end of my career at all, hopefully that is still very far ahead of me. We will Let’s see what’s in store for me,” concludes Shaqiri, who was brought in by Liverpool in 2018 for €15 million. In the past four seasons, the 96-time international of Switzerland has played 63 games.

According to Goal Lazio and Napoli have already reached out to Shaqiri’s management to discuss a possible partnership. Both clubs are keen to do business with Liverpool before the transfer window closes at the end of August. Sevilla and Villarreal have reportedly suggested signing Shaqiri on loan first, but Liverpool only want to talk about a final sale of the midfielder.