Shaqiri has been the number one target for Lyon sporting director Juninho and head coach Peter Bosz, and they have landed the 29-year-old Swiss international for a fee of £9.5m
The Swiss international has now been given permission to undergo a medical in France with the transfer now a mere formality after personal terms were agreed.
The 29-year-old enjoyed a fine Euro 2020, scoring three times as Switzerland made it to the quarter-finals and requested a move from Merseyside following the tournament.
Xherdan Shaqiri of Switzerland celebrates with team mate Remo Freuler after scoring their team’s second goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group A match between Switzerland and Turkey at Baku Olimpiya Stadionu on June 20, 2021 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (June 19, 2021 – Source: DAN MULLAN/Getty Images Europe)
Shaqiri has struggled to displace the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota in the Reds attack and has confirmed that he is seeking a move away from the club this summer.
The 29-year-old will be able to walk away for free in June 2022 given his contract situation, leaving Liverpool under pressure to recoup a fee for him in the current transfer window.
Shaqiri played 63 times for Liverpool, following his £13.75m move from Stoke in 2018, and will be fondly remembered by supporters for his double against Manchester United at Anfield in December 2018. Injuries, however, have always blighted his career at the club and the playmaker struggled to put a run of games together.
That lack of action is exactly why Liverpool are willing to part ways with the player this summer, while the emergence of Harvey Elliott also played its own part. The 18-year-old started against Burnley on Saturday and impressed in a 2-0 win.