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Liverpool rumours and news: Ilkay Gundogan, Max Meyer and Kamil Grabara linked with moves to Anfield

Juventus' efforts could be scuppered; Max Meyer much sought-after; no move for Marc-André ter Stegen; young 'keeper set for move; Sofiane Boufal, 'the new Eden Hazard'?

Mark Critchley
Tuesday 05 January 2016 11:44 GMT
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Jurgen Klopp and Ilkay Gundogan together during their time at Borussia Dortmund
Jurgen Klopp and Ilkay Gundogan together during their time at Borussia Dortmund

Somehow, we think, for as long as Jurgen Klopp is the manager of Liverpool and for as long Ilkay Gundogan plays for Borussia Dortumund, rumours will abound.

Even when the classy midfielder is linked with others clubs, his close relationship with his former coach is thrown into the equation.

Today, the Daily Star, citing Italian outlet Sportmediaset, claim Serie A champions Juventus believe their efforts to sign the 25-year-old could be scuppered by Klopp. It remains to be seen, though, whether the man in the Anfield hotseat will take advantage of his close ties with the player.

He may be concentrating his efforts on other Bundesliga targets, namely Max Meyer.

According to SportBild, Liverpool have joined Milan, Barcelona and Sevilla in the chase for the £25.5million midfielder, who currently plies his trade at Schalke 04’s Veltins Arena.

Meyer, a year older than fellow prospect Leroy Sane, is rated as one of the continent’s most exciting young playmakers, but may too much competition for the ‘No. 10’ at Anfield.

Klopp’s goalkeeping situation continues to be the source of much speculation. Yesterday, the man himself ruled out a move for Marc-André ter Stegen, who is frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities at Barcelona.

“We have some problems at this moment but thank God not around the goalkeeper position so everything is okay,” Liverpool’s managers said yesterday.

“It's how I said plenty of time on the goalkeeper position and the situation is more than okay, we are satisfied.”

Satisfied he may be, but that has not prevented the club still being linked with a player dubbed ‘the next Jerzy Dudek’.

Kamil Grabara, currently part of Ruch Chorzow’s U19s set-up, may well be the unlikeliest name to be linked with a top Premier League club today, but he is highly-rated, with both Manchester clubs also keeping tabs on the youngster.

According to the Liverpool Echo, however, Liverpool are in pole position for his signature.

“Grabara has been with us for 12 years. A few months ago we signed a contract with him to keep him until 2018, and now Liverpool want to have him,” said Ruch president Dariusz Smagorowic.

And, after ‘the new Jerzy Dudek’, how about ‘the new Eden Hazard’? Lille winger Sofiane Boufal is, according to the Daily Express, being courted by both the Merseyside club and Arsenal.

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