Report: Xherdan Shaqiri linked with a move to AS Roma

According to Italian source Gianluca di Marzio, AS Roma have recently entered the fray alongside Liverpool FC in an attempt to sign 22-year-old Bayern Munich attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri. The transfer fee is reportedly in the range of €20M.

On the back of a relatively successful World Cup for the Swiss star, it's not hard to imagine that Roma are very keen on a talented midfielder who can play all across the attacking band. That said, as with all things di Marzio, the reported rumors only tend to have much credence when they make some semblance of sense. Whether that's a knock on him or just a symptom of the transfer market in general is hard to gauge, but it's definitely something that occurs with di Marzio as a source. In this case, to his detriment.

Xherdan Shaqiri is most at home behind the main striker or out on the left wing. Unfortunately those places are home to Miralem Pjanic and Francesco Totti. While Totti's age is a concern, the man is still undeniably one of the better players in Serie A and Roma would be mad to move on from him. Also, I'm fairly certain Roma fans everywhere would commit mass mutiny if the front office relegated Totti to the bench before he was ready to do so himself. Shaqiri could take up residence on the right wing given that Roma have pretty much just Gervinho out on that side, and they do need some additional help going into a Champions League season, but I'd be willing to hedge my bets that the Swiss international won't switch for a position he's simply not as good at. However, stranger things have occurred. Chalk this one up as interesting.