Jurgen Klopp discusses Xherdan Shaqiri signing and value of transfers

Shai Khullar
24th August 2018

Jurgen Klopp has discussed 's move to Liverpool this summer, whilst saying too much focus is put on the size of a transfer rather than value.

Shaqiri moved to Liverpool this summer, leaving , who were relegated from the last season.

Due to relegation to the Championship, a clause in Shaqiri's contract allowed him to leave the Potters for a mere £13 million.

Whilst the transfer market has seen fees rise to an incredible level, a player like Shaqiri on a cut-price deal made a lot of sense for the Reds.

However, some viewed the signing to be a disappointment at the time, and Klopp has now addressed that point of view as he says there is a big divide in how fees are perceived around the Premier League compared to the Bundesliga.

“I don't think German football culture would tolerate transfers of 150 million Euros. They love nothing more than a free transfer,” he told SPORT1.

“The view in England is different. If a player costs nothing there is a suspicion he must be useless.

“For example, there was a lot of questioning (in England) around our interest in Xherdan Shaqiri.

“We paid £13 million for him after he got relegated with Stoke. But he's a fantastic player and now everyone at the club loves him. In comparison to Germany, it's really different.”

Klopp also says the difference between the two countries is down to the way the two footballing structures work.

“I remember a few years ago, the topic on everyone's lips in Germany was the amount of money, around 100 million Euros, that Bayern Munich were said to have in cash reserves. These days you wouldn't even get half a Neymar for that!

“Times change. That's the way they want to do things in Germany and I don't wish to criticise it.

“It's a system that can work perfectly well. But then you just have to accept the risk of the top talent going off to ply its trade in England or Spain.

Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

“There's a decision to be made. Either you keep everything as it is: a great league with fantastic stadia and great atmospheres.

“Or you can go down the road they've gone in England. But then the rules have to be changed. You can't have your cake and eat it.”

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