Liverpool closing the net around Swiss World Cup winger

Nobody can accuse Brendan Rodgers of putting his feet up in the off season amidst reports Liverpool are close to wrapping up their third signing of the summer, before the first ball of the World Cup is kicked in anger.

Bayern Munich and Switzerland winger Xherdan Shaqiri has long been linked with a switch to Anfield and according to one national newspaper that deal is very nearly done.

£15m is the figure that’s been mooted and if Shaqiri does complete the switch from Bayern he’ll become the third signing in the space of a week, joining England striker Rickie Lambert and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can at Liverpool.

It seems that after coming so agonisingly close to the Premier League title this season, Rodgers does not want progress to stall at Anfield, especially now Champions League football is back on the Merseyside menu.

Despite finishing just two points off champions Manchester City in 2013/14, the Reds are already behind the Citizens (7/4), Chelsea (11/5) and Manchester United (5/1) in the betting at 6/1 to claim the Premier League next season.

However, the capture of Shaqiri will be seen as a definite step in the right direction.

The Bayern winger has been courted by a number of top clubs, including United, but the Swiss international was apparently put off by a lack of Champions League football at Old Trafford.

Still only 22, Shaqiri has turned out 32 times for Switzerland – whom he’ll represent at the forthcoming World Cup – but under new boss Pep Guardiola he’s found himself on the bench for the majority of the season.

Shaqiri still managed to net six goals from his 17 Bundesliga appearances though.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £100 in free bets.