Liverpool transfer rumours and news: Mario Gotze, Granit Xhaka, Karim Bellarbi on the way in at Anfield?

Jurgen Klopp to be reunited with Gotze; Liverpool set to break the bank for Xhaka; Bellarbi to offer threat on the wing; Horn going nowhere; Toure to Real?

Mark Critchley
Friday 08 January 2016 12:20 GMT
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The silly season has started and today, it does not get much sillier than this.

After breaking Jurgen Klopp’s heart by moving to Bayern Munich three years ago, reports today suggest that Mario Gotze may well be reunited with his former Borussia Dortmund boss.

That’s according to Bild, who say the pair could strike up their old partnership again at Liverpool. The 23-year-old has made just 14 appearances this season, largely due to an injury he picked up in a European Championships qualifier against the Republic of Ireland.

The attacking midfielder, who famously scored the winner in the 2014 World Cup final, moved to Bavaria from Klopp’s Dortmund when his £27.5million release clause was triggered, and is reportedly valued at around £37million by his club.

Another Bundesliga name linked with a move to Anfield is Granit Xhaka, who has impressed in midfield for Borussia Monchengladbach.

According to the Daily Express, Liverpool are preparing to make a club record bid for the Switzerland international, who could add some much-needed creativity to the static base of Klopp’s midfield.

The club would apparently be willing to spend £37million in order to secure the 23-year-old’s services. Xhaka’s father, who acts as his agent, has refused to rule out a move.

"At the moment I prefer not to say too much," Ragip Xhaka said.

"We’ll see what happens. I can say that several big clubs are interested. Everything is possible, we’re not ruling anything out."

Staying in Germany, a move for Bayer Leverkusen winger Karim Bellarabi is mooted by the Liverpool Echo.

The 25-year-old plays mainly on the right but can also operate up front and would pose the opposition a counter-attacking threat.

Goalkeeper Timo Horn, meanwhile, who plays in (yes, you guessed it) the Bundesliga has ruled out a departure from 1. FC Köln this winter.

“I read something in the media. Jurgen Klopp has already said everything, there are no concrete offers and I do not concern myself with it," he told his club’s website.

"I am a FC Cologne player and concentrating fully on my task here."

Onto outgoing affairs and, as expected, this could well be Kolo Toure’s last year with the club.

He is yet to be offered a new deal, despite his heroic performance against Stoke City on Tuesday night, and has began to look to pastures new – namely, Real Madrid.

"If I can play like that then maybe I will go to Real Madrid," Toure said.

"I don't know what I'll do at the end of this season, but I'd like to stay in the Premier League.

"My kids are here and it is difficult to move. I am loving every day but God knows where I will be in a year’s time. But I hope it's playing football because I love it."

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