Liverpool Transfer News: United Nemesis Awaiting German Transfer Decision

Basel midfielder Granit Xhaka intends to join Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach, despite reported interest from Liverpool and Manchester United.

The Swiss starlet has played an important role in the Basel side that is closing in on the Swiss Super League title and who reached the knock-out phase of the Champions League, only to crash-out at the hands of Bayern Munich.

Xhaka, whose teammate Xherdan Shaqiri has already penned a deal to join Bayern Munich, had been linked with a move to either Liverpool or United, but looks set to join his former teammate in the Bundesliga.

"Personally, I have nothing to hide. For me, everything is settled. Now it's up to the clubs to decide," he told Swiss newspaper Basler Zeitung.

The 19-year-old featured in the Basel side which knocked United out of the Champions League at the group phase, with a 3-3 draw at Old Trafford followed by a 2-1 win in December.

Basel look set to claim the Super League title this season after opening up a 16-point gap with five games remaining on second place FC Luzern, who are awaiting the result of a hearing from the Court of Arbitration for Sport over their draw with Sion in September, before conceding the title.

The club are understood to be demanding as much as £8 million for Xhaka's services with the front-runners Mönchengladbach having all but confirmed their place in next season's Champions League.

With the success of Liverpool's summer transfers mixed, the club are unlikely to splash out on players with as much regularity during this coming window.

However, having failed to qualify for the Champions League, Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has decisions to make over the future of a number of first-team squad members.

The Reds have reached two domestic cup finals this term, but with their pre-season priority of reaching Europe's premier club competition after a two-year absence having fallen flat, the club could use the transfer market to improve their fortunes.

Both Liverpool and United endured troubling weekend results, with Dalglish's men falling to a 12<sup>th defeat of the season at the hands of West Bromwich Albion, while the reigning Premier League champions saw their lead over Manchester City at the top cut to three points.