Premier League champions Manchester United have been put on alert after Xherdan Shaqiri’s proposed move from FC Basel to Galatasaray collapsed.
GettyImagesXherdan Shaqiri: Basel want £20m for midfielder
Attacking midfielder Shaqiri, who was hugely impressive as Basel dumped United out of the Champions League this season, looked set to join Turkish giants Galatasaray but the deal stalled after the two club’s failed to agree a transfer fee.
Galatasaray’s offer of around £10 million did not meet Basel’s valuation of their highly-rated Swiss international and the Turkish side have now ruled themselves out of the running.
“Shaqiri’s club Basel wanted a transfer fee that we would not accept and as a result negotiations have come to an end,” Galatasaray vice-president Ali Durust said.
In a statement, Galatasaray added: “Negotiations with the professional football player Xherdan Shaqiri which began on the 23rd January 2012 have come to an end, we have not agreed terms with [Shaqiri] and his club F.C Basel.”
Shaqiri, 20, has been linked with Tottenham and AC Milan, as well as United, and there was some surprise that such a highly-rated player had not been snapped up by one of Europe’s established powers, rather than Galatasaray. Basel are reportedly holding out for around £20 million.