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Liverpool transfer news: Moses Simon confirms interest as Reds near Xherdan Shaqiri deal
MOSES SIMON has confirmed that Liverpool showed interest in signing him last month - although it now appears the Reds are closing in on Xherdan Shaqiri.
Jurgen Klopp identified the need for a pacy winger to provide better quality back-up to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane out wide.
And Simon and Shaqiri were named as his two choices with Nigeria winger Simon entering the final year of his contract with KAA Gent.
The forward, who turned 23 yesterday, was said to be a £10 million target by the Liverpool Echo in June.
And Simon, who scored six goals in 29 Jupiler League games for Gent last term, hinted that the Merseyside outfit had made their interest known to him.
Obviously, there was interest from Liverpool but nothing is concrete for now.
Simon - who missed his country’s World Cup campaign with a thigh issue - said: “Well, for now, I’m still a player of KAA Gent.
“Obviously, there was interest from Liverpool but nothing is concrete for now.
“I’m currently in Holland with the rest of the squad and we are getting ready for the new season.
“We have a game against PAOK in two days. Hopefully, I might play in that one.”
It appears as though Liverpool will not be chasing a deal for Simon, however.
The Telegraph reported last night that instead, the Anfield club are nearing the signing of Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City.
It is claimed Liverpool have exercised a release clause in the Swiss star’s Stoke contract that allows him to leave for around £13.75million after the Potters’ relegation from the Premier League last term.
The Telegraph say that 26-year-old Shaqiri will undergo a medical today to be unveiled as the club’s third summer arrival after Fabinho and Naby Keita.