Liverpool could be set to offload another one of their unwanted fringe players after Lyon were linked with a move for Xherdan Shaqiri.

What's the story?

According to The Athletic's Liverpool reporter James Pearce, the French outfit have joined the race for the 29-year-old's signature, although their opening offer was well below the Reds' valuation.

He tweeted: "Lyon have joined the chase for Xherdan Shaqiri but the two clubs currently far apart in terms of valuations. #LFC holding out for £12 million. With LFC having the option to extend his deal by 12 months, he's effectively under contract until summer 2023."

Liverpool fans will be buzzing

Pearce's report claims that the two clubs have been in talks over Shaqiri in recent days, but no agreement has been made, and other potential suitors have also let their interest be known.

"Lyon have made contact with Liverpool in the past 24 hours. Their initial offer fell a long way short of the club’s £12 million valuation. Lazio and Napoli have also registered their interest in Shaqiri in recent weeks. It remains to be seen whether Lyon return with an improved bid," he wrote.

Although the bid for Shaqiri wasn't accepted, Liverpool fans will surely still be buzzing to learn the race for his signature is gathering pace.

The Switzerland international arrived at Anfield in a £13.5m deal from Stoke City back in 2018 following their relegation, and he made a solid start to life in Merseyside, scoring six goals and providing five assists in 30 appearances during his maiden campaign.

However, a lack of form and persistent injury issues have limited the diminutive forward to just seven Premier League starts over the last couple of campaigns, and he openly admitted his desire to depart in a recent interview.

“My contract (with) Liverpool expires in 2022, in 2018; I signed a four-year deal. The important thing at this moment in my career is to be able to play regularly, but that hasn’t always been the case in the last three seasons,” Shaqiri admitted to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Football Italia).

“This is why I told Liverpool that I feel ready for a new challenge. They accepted my wish and will seriously consider the offers that will come. They will not stop me."

Liverpool have already sold Marko Grujic, Harry Wilson and Taiwo Awoniyi this summer in order to raise funds for fresh faces, and Shaqiri could be the next fringe player to depart, providing Jurgen Klopp with the necessary funds to bring in his desired transfer target and most importantly, freeing up a spot in his squad to bring in another non-homegrown player.

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