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Liverpool transfer news: Reds could switch targets as Adam Lallana frustrations leads them towards £16m bid for Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri

Little progress in talks with Southampton could lead to Liverpool pulling out of their move for the England midfielder and instead make a move for Swiss international Shaqiri

Jack de Menezes
Friday 20 June 2014 10:40 BST
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Liverpool could move for Xherdan Shaqiri after finding little progress in talks for Southampton's Adam Lallana
Liverpool could move for Xherdan Shaqiri after finding little progress in talks for Southampton's Adam Lallana

Liverpool could pull out of the race to sign Southampton and England midfielder Adam Lallana, and instead launch a £16m move for Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri, it is being reported.

The Reds had been favourites to land 26-year-old Lallana, but his participation in the World Cup combined with Southampton’s search for a new manager appears to have left the Merseyside club frustrated, and they could decide to pull out of the deal as a result.

The Daily Mail claims that talks have already begun between Liverpool’s hierarchy and that of the Bundesliga champions regarding a move for the Swiss international, who is currently on World Cup duty in Brazil.

It is believed that Brendan Rodgers also harbours interest in Benfica’s Lazar Markovic, who has attracted attention from leading clubs across Europe, but Shaqiri represents a better deal for the Premier League runners-up as they believe Shaqiri will favour a move.

The 22-year-old has grown frustrated with the lack of first-team opportunities at the Allianz Arena, as he played just 28 matches last season, and was afforded just 10 starts in their victorious Bundesliga campaign. Having been mentioned as the potential successor to star winger Franck Ribery, it now appears that he could be offered a way out of Germany having arrived at the club in 2012.

Shaqiri played all 90 minutes of Switzerland’s 2-1 comeback victory in their opening World Cup Group E match against Ecuador, but it appears his summer could become a whole lot busier when he returns to Europe.

Liverpool are also reportedly showing interest in Wolfsburg left-back Ricardo Rodriguez, with concerns over the move for Seville defender Alberto Moreno meaning they has seeked to identify a back-up transfer target.

The defence is area that Rodgers has clearly seeked to strengthen after Liverpool leaked more goals than any of their rivals last season, but the move for the Spanish defender appears to have hit a stumbling block despite the move appearing close to complete.

The Reds were confident they could land Moreno for around £16m, and Seville president Jose Castro had admitted that any player would be allowed to leave the La Liga side should the right fee be offered.

But their interest in Rodriguez suggests the club are not as confident of landing their top target, and the 21-year-old has shown a lot of promise in his three seasons with the Bundesliga outfit. He managed to notch five goals in 34 league appearances last season, and has already made 22 appearances for Switzerland having made his debut in 2011.

Rodriguez is also with the Swiss team alongside Shaqiri, so any move is likely to go through after the World Cup has been completed.

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