West Ham United linked with a transfer for Liverpool attacker: A smashing move by Pellegrini?

West Ham United have renewed their interest in Liverpool forward Xherdan Shaqiri as part of their rebuilding for next season.

Last summer, Shaqiri rejected a move to the London Stadium in favour of joining Liverpool, but will have the chance to decide if he wants to sign for West Ham again this summer.

According to a report from Metro via Hammers News, West Ham might meet Liverpool’s asking price of £22.5m for Shaqiri.

Shaqiri has managed 6 goals and 5 assists in his 30 appearances so far this season, and might have a chance to add to this tally in the Champions League final should he feature against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Xherdan Shaqiri would be a smashing addition to West Ham

Shaqiri is a versatile player who predominantly features on the right wing, but possesses the ability to switch flanks, take up the number 10 role or an attacking midfield role if needed.

The 27-year-old likes to cut inside to open up space for the full-back on the wing or to have a pop at goal from outside the area which highlights his shooting prowess. Shaqiri looks to create space for himself in front of the goal using the striker’s runs, the kind of thing Marko Arnautovic or Michail Antonio do for the Hammers on a regular basis.

The Swiss international’s vision and passing range are his strengths. Shaqiri has featured in a number 10 for Liverpool at times this season, where he has the ability to pick out passes or drive at centre-backs with his pace and dribbling ability.

The likes of Felipe Anderson, Javier Hernandez, Arnautovic and Antonio can greatly benefit from Shaqiri’s passing range as they can stretch the opposition backline with their runs.

Last but not least is Shaqiri’s set-piece ability, which is among the best in the Premier League. Whether it be corners or an indirect free-kick, one can always rely on him to produce the goods. Who can forget his whipped cross in the dying minutes of the game against Newcastle United in the penultimate game week of the season?

The 27-year-old has that X-factor about him as he can create a goal out of nothing but like any other player, he also has certain aspects in his game that might hurt a team. Shaqiri is poor defensively and you can’t expect him to track back too often in games. He isn’t the tallest either, so won’t be of much use while defending dead-ball situations

Shaqiri does have Premier League experience under his belt and having played for European giants like Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Liverpool, he sure possesses the quality that would improve West Ham next season.

Stat Courtesy: Transfermarkt, Whoscored