Liverpool Transfer News: Xherdan Shaqiri's Agent Reportedly in England for Talks

Xherdan Shaqiri's agent, who also happens to be his brother, is said to be in England negotiating a deal for the Swiss playmaker to join Liverpool.

Gianluca Di Marzio, trusted writer for Sky Italia, believes the Bayern Munich star is likely to secure a move to Anfield after netting an excellent hat-trick during Switzerland's World Cup win over Honduras on Wednesday night:

The Swiss footballer, who scored three goals today in the World Cup, is liked by Milan and Roma, but Liverpool has the advantage over the other teams.

Shaqiri’s brother, who is also his agent, is currently in England to meet with Liverpool’s management and discuss the economic details of the contract.

His departure from Bayern Munich is close, Shaqiri appears to be heading to the Premier League.

David Amoyal, who provides the English translation for Di Marzio's blog, also posted the story on Twitter:

Shaqiri, alongside Chilean star Alexis Sanchez, is one of the names to continually be linked with a move to Liverpool this summer, reported by talkSPORT. The talented 22-year-old is a key component of Ottmar Hitzfeld's Swiss side but has failed to establish a consistent first-team run at Bayern, making him an ideal candidate for transfer.

The attacking playmaker is versatile, bullish and creative on the ball. He scored six goals and provided two assists in 10 starts and seven Bundesliga substitute appearances last season, recorded by WhoScored.com, but has the potential to reach double figures with both stats across the course of a full campaign.

Shaqiri indicated that he isn't willing to sit on the bench for another year at the Allianz Arena in May, where his eagerness to move on became clear, reported by 20 Minuten and via Alex Harris of the Express: "I'm not going to go through another year like this. If not much changes, then I will have to change something. I am only disappointed because I have played less."

His hat-trick against Honduras showed exactly what he can do in advanced areas, as noted by Futbol World Cup:

The experienced Champions League player oozes class and the sense that he is ready to get the job done when in possession. However, he is occasionally sloppy and often missing from defensive phases of the game, so he certainly has plenty of improving to do if he is to make good on his tremendous potential.

Right now, his situation isn't too dissimilar to that of Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho before they linked up with Rodgers on Merseyside. The Northern Irish manager favours youngsters who possess obvious quality, offer natural attacking exuberance and have something to prove.

Shaqiri could be the first part in a Reds jigsaw that will fit together without Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan striker faces a FIFA disciplinary charge after appearing to bite Giorgio Chiellini during a World Cup game with Italy, the third time he has committed such an act since 2010.

It is widely reported that Liverpool may ditch Suarez after bringing the club's name under the spotlight once again, summarised by former Reds defender Jamie Carragher in his column for the Daily Mail:

Now you get the feeling that Liverpool might actually be relieved if Barcelona or Real come in with a bid that triggers a move. If a lucrative offer arrives in the next few weeks, I am convinced Suarez will be playing his football somewhere else next season.

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson, speaking on Dublin's Radio Newstalk, believes Sanchez could be the main replacement for Suarez (from the 28-minute mark):

What will happen to Suarez? Will he go? Is he angling for it? Even just yesterday I heard things from newspaper guys with their ear very close to the ground at Liverpool, saying that the Sanchez deal was actually done.

As such, major changes may be on the horizon at Anfield. Suarez's 31-goal contribution lifted Liverpool to second in the Premier League last year, but the club are sure to be less than impressed with another blot on his record. While Shaqiri's transfer wouldn't be enough to replace the Uruguayan, add Sanchez into the mix and many fans will begin to consider a future without their troubled striker.

With Shaqiri's willingness to impress and Rodgers' tact, a transfer for the developing talent could be one of the best pieces of business this summer. It would need to be the right price—with around £15 million looking a fair deal, per Alex Richards of the Mirror—as Rodgers seeks immediate impact and world-class quality for the future.

Liverpool would be wise to tie the deal up quickly if it's to go ahead, just in case Shaqiri adds a few extra million to his cost with another virtuoso performance in front of the World Cup audience.