Arsenal Set To Activate £18m Release Clause Of Bundesliga Star

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspurs target, Xherdan Shaqiri could be Arsenal’s first January signing if the reports in the media all over Europe are to be given any attention. Arsenal seems to be on the verge of hijacking Bayern Munich’s fringe forward, Xherdan Shaqiri from the grasp of Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs, all English Premier League rivals that have declared interest in the player. The news now is either that the £18m valuation of the player would either be met by Arsenal or Bayern Munich would accept a bid of £10m from Arsenal just be rid of the player’s wages and services.

These are two major versions of the story concerning Shaqiri but one common factor is the fact that Arsenal are the club Bayern are currently doing business with concerning the player. It is reported that Arsenal are tying the loose ends of a deal that would bring the Swiss to the Emirates in January as they are favourites to do so.

Despite a very good performance for Switzerland at the 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil, Shaqiri has struggled at Bayern Munich for opportunities as the star-studded side under Pep Guardiola execute their Bundesliga title defence and UEFA Champions’ League challenge. Earlier in the summer, when reports emanated that the player would make a switch for the English Premier League with Manchester United and Liverpool knocking, he came out to refute those claims by saying:  

‘‘I’ve still got a contract until 2016 and the club have already told me I won’t be going anywhere so I’ve just got to accept that.’’ Now, with the interests from Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspurs and Liverpool still reportedly intense, Arsenal have emerged favourites to land the player. The earlier reports explained that Bayern Munich would only look to be rid of the player on a temporary basis and they are looking at the EPL to secure a loan move to any of the above mentioned clubs, but now, it seems Arsenal’s offer of a permanent move for the player appears more attracting to the Pep Guardiola-led side.

Shaqiri who joined Bayern Munich from Basel in 2012 has managed to score 10 times from 50 appearances for the German heavyweights. Shaqiri is known for his speed, powerful left and right feet, excellent vision and being clinical in front of goal. He grew from the Basel academy and youth set-up and has represented Switzerland in all cadre levels before becoming a mainstay in the senior national team.

The player scored a hat-trick in the match against Honduras in the 2014 FIFA World Cup earning himself 2 Man of the Match titles in the Mundial. If Arsene Wenger is able to secure the services of Shaqiri from Bayern Munich this January, then the dream of winning the English Premier League before 2017, when the French manager’s contract at Arsenal expires, would look very attainable.

A team that already has top stars like Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey among others would be an attacking giant with the inclusion of Shaqiri. The Swiss international is the kind of player that catches the fancy of Arsene Wenger, with his massive pace and energy. Wenger has signed players like Marc Overmars, Sylvian Wiltord, Freddie Ljunberg, Thierry Henry, Jose Antonio Reyes and many others whose pace, energy and skills can be seen in Shaqiri.

The player only needs a platform like Arsenal to revive his club career as he seems to be surplus to requirement at Bayern Munich and this is rather unfortunate but doesn’t undermine his value in any way.

Whether Wenger sells Lukas Podolski and/or Joel Campbell or not, the acquisition of a player like Shaqiri is a strong statement of intent by Arsenal to battle for titles in coming years.