Former Liverpool and Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shqiri, who joined Lyon in Agusut 2021, is nearing a move to the Major League Soccer, as is another ex-Bavarian, Douglas Costa. The two are expected to move across the Atlantic in the coming days. 

Shaqiri’s summer move to Lyon hasn’t gone to plan, with the player nearing an exit already. The Swiss international is closing in on a permanent transfer to Chicago Fire, with talk progressing smoothly. Lyon themselves confirmed the same on Friday night in a statement released through their social channels. 

Chicago will pay Lyon a fee in the region of 6.5 million euros to acquire the attacker, whom they will register as a designated player, reports Fabrizio Romano.

Official: Olympique Lyonnais announce they have accepted Xherdan Shaqiri's request to open discussions with ‘an MLS club’. 🇺🇸 #MLS

Shaqiri’s set to join Chicago Fire on a permanent transfer once final details will be completed.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 4, 2022

Should the deal be completed, the 30-year-old will become the latest in the line of high-profile European exports that have spent the twilight years of their footballing careers across the Atlantic in the MLS. 

The Switzerland international will leave a noteworthy legacy in European football behind – once he signs for the Fire. The attacker spent his peak years playing for heavyweights such as Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Liverpool, winning Bundesliga and Premier League titles, as well as the Champions League.

Shaqiri is not the only high-profile player expected to join an MLS side this month. Reports claim Los Angeles Galaxy – known for bringing in top players from across the pond David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Andrea Pirlo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic – are closing in on a loan deal for the Brazilian with Juventus. Costa, himself a former Bayern player, spent last season on loan at Gremio from Juventus.  

According to Goal.com, the winger will spend the final six months of his Juve contract on loan in Los Angeles. Furthermore, the club will hold an option to sign him to a two-year contract upon the expiration of the stipulated loan period, and along with it, his Juventus deal.

Costa brought down the curtains to an eleven-years-long European stay last season to return to his boyhood club Gremio, but could not prevent them from going down.