ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 3, 2018: Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri with a ball in hands in the Knockout Stage Round of 16 football match between Sweden and Switzerland at Saint Petersburg Stadium (Krestovsky Stadium) at FIFA World Cup Russia 2018; Sweden won 1-0. Alexander Demianchuk/TASS

Liverpool agree fee for Xherdan Shaqiri – medical plans set

Liverpool have agreed a fee with Stoke City for Switzerland winger Xherdan Shaqiri, who is set to undergo his medical with the club this week.

The Reds have already signed Naby Keita and Fabinho this summer, while their efforts to secure a deal for Lyon captain Nabil Fekir stalled in June due to fitness concerns.

While a move for Fekir could still be revived, Jurgen Klopp‘s side have looked to progress swiftly in luring Shaqiri to Anfield.

According to the Telegraph‘s John Percy, this has seen Liverpool agree to pay the 26-year-old’s release clause, believed to be worth around £13.75 million.

Percy claims Shaqiri is now due for a medical on Friday, and providing there are no issues he will be unveiled as the club’s third new arrival shortly.

Liverpool would present the Swiss with another opportunity to establish himself at a top-level club, having struggled for opportunities at both Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

He found his feet at Stoke, but was soon left toiling on a sinking ship, topping the Potters’ goalscoring and assist-making charts last season with eight and seven respectively.

Though Shaqiri won’t join Klopp’s squad as a first-choice winger, he will provide quality cover for Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

Their fitness was largely reliable in 2017/18, but the manager has acknowledged the need for reinforcements out wide, particularly if the Reds are to challenge for the Premier League title.

Shaqiri wears the No. 23 for Switzerland, and could well adopt the shirt vacated by Emre Can on his move to Juventus this summer.

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