Liverpool Transfer News: Marco Reus Blow Reported as Real Madrid Lead Race

Marco Reus is believed to favour a switch to the Bernabeu should he depart Signal Iduna Park in 2015, leaving Liverpool's pursuit of the Borussia Dortmund attacker in some state of uncertainty.

Spanish outlet MercaFutbol (h/t Daily Star's Chisanga Malata) claims the German international could leave a host of Premier League managers disappointed after making Madrid his "first-choice destination":

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MercaFutbol also claim Reus has made Madrid his first choice destination, and say he won't leave Dortmund for anyone else. This news of Reus' desire to play for Real will be a hammer blow to Wenger, Rodgers, and van Gaal, who are all eager to land the coveted Germany star.

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Liverpool have been through a period of rebuilding since selling Luis Suarez to Barcelona over the summer, and replacing the Uruguayan's presence in front of goal remains a priority for Brendan Rodgers.

Earlier in October, Jamie Anderson of the Express reported that the Reds were willing to make Reus their highest-paid player with a salary of £200,000-a-week should he be tempted into joining.

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It's unlikely to be the first time in his career "Rolls Reus" has been handed a potential increase on the £60,000-a-week he currently makes in Germany, however, and Real would be equally equipped in that respect.

Another domestic giant may yet come in for the versatile forward, and former Bayern Munich great Franz Beckenbauer is quoted by Bundesliga writer Jonathan Harding hinting at Der FCB's growing interest:

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has also voiced his club's interest relating to Reus, according to Norwegian pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft:

Liverpool acquired the talents of Mario Balotelli late in the summer transfer window, but the Italian has so far failed to re-open his Premier League account since returning to England.

Daniel Sturridge's injury woes have left Liverpool's attack short-handed, and Reus could offer a superstar presence as a striker or out wide.

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It's also worth taking into account that his contract stipulates a release clause worth around £20 million coming into effect next summer. Speaking to German newspaper BILD (h/t The Guardian's Jamie Jackson) over the summer, Beckenbauer said:

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I can imagine him at Bayern very well. If you can get a player of his class, you need to try it. 

I am sure: if he doesn’t go to Bayern in 2015, he will probably go to another big international club such as Real Madrid or Manchester United. Dortmund are unlikely to be able to hold on to him.

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Those hopes are bound to have diminished in recent months. The Black and Yellows currently find themselves 14th in the German top flight, having won just two league games this season.

Despite growing up in Dortmund, there's only so much that kind of connection can withstand. Having missed Germany's World Cup triumph through injury, Reus will be eager not to lose out on any more medal chances in his career.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

As reigning champions of Europe, Real certainly offer that opportunity, with Bayern perhaps the only other mentioned suitor standing to win as much silverware as Carlo Ancelotti's side in the years to come.

Amid such a stellar array of options, it would seem Liverpool risk slipping further away from the prospect of signing Reus next year. With his price set to fall next summer, the Reds' only hope may be to offer an increased sum in January, hoping Dortmund may be willing to cash in for the highest fee possible.