Liverpool Transfer News: Marco Reus Setback Dealt by Bayern, Omer Toprak Eyed

Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has once again confirmed the German champions' interest in the signature of Marco Reus, denting Liverpool's hopes of signing the Borussia Dortmund star.

Reus' future is rarely free of speculation, such is the quality of the player who missed Germany's World Cup triumph during the summer. Jamie Anderson of the Daily Express recently reported Liverpool would offer Reus "in excess" of £200,000 per week to choose Anfield, but Bayern's interest is pressing and explicit, no matter how subtle the Bavarian board think they appear.

Rummenigge is the main deviant here. He told German outlet Sport Bild (via FourFourTwo): "We know in Munich that he (Reus) has a lot of quality. And we know his clause. For us a young German national player of such quality is interesting. But I do not want to make unrest in Dortmund."

Alexander Hassenstein/Associated Press

These quotes come after Rummenigge publicly drew attention to the fact Reus can leave for €25 million (approximately £19.8 million) at the end of the season, in an interview with German paper Bild. He called this clause "dangerous" in an interview with ESPN (both reported by the Guardian). Football pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft noted an obvious love for the player from Rummenigge:

Bayern honorary president Franz Beckenbauer also said "Dortmund will probably not be able to hold on to him," as reported by Bild (via Charles Perrin of the Daily Express).

Such comments have unsettled Dortmund enough to respond. BVB sporting director Michael Zorc stated "nothing has changed about our intentions to continue our collaboration with Marco," per Sport Bild (via Stefan Coerts of Goal.com).

Petr David Josek/Associated Press

Interest should certainly have Dortmund fans worried, but Liverpool hopefuls will also be concerned over an ominous ritual from Rummenigge.

He offered similar quotes prior to signing Mario Gotze from the Westfalenstadion—saying he has "fantastic" quality and pinpointing his allegiance with the national team—offering a knowing assurance that he would soon run out in the famous red. 

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will be hoping Reus will welcome a slightly different shade, however. The Premier League club have lost much of their cut-and-thrust since Luis Suarez left for Barcelona. Liverpool are lacking star players who have proven themselves in the Champions League and are currently relying too much on 19-year-old Raheem Sterling.

Considering Reus and Sterling either side of Daniel Sturridge (or indeed, Mario Balotelli) will certainly excite Liverpool fans. There has always been a sense that an elite European club with greater financial power will topple their interest for Reus, though, making an Anfield transfer extremely difficult.

Exactly what Reus could bring to Liverpool can be seen below:

Rodgers is expected to strengthen in January and has also been linked with a move for Bayer Leverkusen defender Omer Toprak, as reported by Perrin. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be interested in the Turkish centre-back, as Rodgers battles against the inevitability that he will face competition to land any of his targets.

The Reds' positioning come the end of the season could make a real difference here. Reus is unlikely to accept a lack of Champions League football, while Rodgers may find it difficult to attract players of this ilk without funds from Europe's top competition (something United have overcome by offering hefty terms to players such as Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao).

Reus' arrival on Merseyside appears difficult, both financially and when considering Bayern's ever-present gaze. The player himself will have a major part to play and could even quash speculation by inking a new contract, perhaps in a bid to halt Dortmund's Bundesliga rivals.

Rodgers will remain hopeful, but he would be better served to turn his full attention toward Toprak as Liverpool go in search of improving squad options across the board.