Ex-Liverpool star Shaqiri heading for MLS move after flopping at Lyon
Robin Bairner
- 4 Feb 2022 20:36 GMT
- 3 min read
Former Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri is heading for a transfer to Major League Soccer, his current club, Lyon, have confirmed.
Shaiqiri was OL’s marquee signing in the summer as they sought to replace Barcelona-bound Memphis Depay, who had been their undoubted ace in recent seasons.
But just as Depay has flopped at Camp Nou, Shaqiri has failed to live up to his billing in Lyon. He arrived for €11 million but did not prove value for money.
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Indeed, his best performance was arguably his last as he spearheaded a comeback victory for OL against Marseille in midweek. Despite a quiet overall display, the Switzerland international headed a leveller and then produced a fine pass to set up Moussa Dembele for what proved the winner in a 2-1 win.
Prior to that game, he had managed to score just a single goal for OL.
While there was criticism over his performance, the closure of the European transfer window seemed to end any chance of him departing.
Lyon prepare their Shaqiri goodbye
However, that was proven to be false on Friday as Lyon announced that the player was not up for consideration for Saturday’s big match against Monaco.
In a statement published via the club’s social media channels, Lyon stated: “The board of Lyon and head coach Peter Bosz have decided to accept the request of Xherdan Shaqiri to begin discissions with an MLS club with the target of a future transfer.
“With this in mind, the Switzerland international midfielder did not participate in training today and will not be part of the group that will travel to Monaco for the 23rd matchday of Ligue 1.”
While Lyon have struggled this season, the wide attacking areas have not been a problem position for the Rhone giants, who are seventh in Ligue 1 and still aiming for European qualification.
