Reds could see target head for Serie A instead.
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Liverpool could be set to miss out on Bayern Munich starlet Xherdan Shaqiri as Serie A giants Roma prepare their own move for him by using defender Mehdi Benatia as bait, according to the Daily Star.
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Shaqiri – who scored a hat-trick against Honduras in the World Cup – has been looked at by Brendan Rodgers this summer, and is thought to be an option for the Liverpool boss as he tries to rebuild his squad following the sale of Luis Suarez.
The 22-year-old is desperate to leave the Alianz Arena after failing to nail down a regular first team spot following a disappointing campaign under Pep Guariola.
Roma have sparked their interest after making a return to the Champions League and any move could follow Ashley Cole’s arrival in the Italian capital.
Shaqiri is reported to have a £15m price tag, but Roma are tempted to play on the Bundesliga champions’ interest in Benatia and use him as a makeweight.
Manchester City were rumoured to be in pole position to sign the in-demand Moroccan stopper, but with them closing in on a deal to land Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala the German giants would be free to make their move for him instead.
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