Liverpool Transfer News: Marco Reus Hunt Led by Reds as January Fee Is Named

Liverpool are reportedly "leading the race" to sign Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus, as speculation around the German international continues to gather pace.

Coverage in the Metro indicates Brendan Rodgers' team are at the forefront of suitors trying to land Reus' talent, while David Wright of the Express suggests Manchester United and Arsenal are also ready to act on Reus' £32 million evaluation in January.

This is more expensive than Reus is available for in the summer, when his £19.8 million release clause comes into effect, reported by The Guardian. Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich also continue to lovingly look on, as highlighted by the comments of chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

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."

Rummenigge's decision to say he doesn't want to cause unrest has the opposite effect, of course, particularly because Dortmund come head-to-head with Bayern on Saturday, noted by football writer Stefan Bienkowski:

A victory for the Bavarian side will see them go 17 points clear of BVB, who hover just outside the relegation zone and haven't won a Bundesliga match since the Sept. 13 victory over Freiburg. Champions League qualification—let alone challenging for the title—is looking unlikely right now, a factor which could see Liverpool gain extra momentum in the hunt for Reus' signature.

The rapid forward has scored one goal and provided two assists in four Bundesliga appearances this season, per WhoScored.com. Despite the poor output of his team, Reus is still managing four shots, 3.3 key passes and 2.3 successful dribbles each match.

His full range of abilities are perfectly summed up in the video below:

Dortmund's link-up play has struggled since Robert Lewandowski headed to the Allianz Arena, but Reus' qualities have still managed to shine through the cracks of a team that have finally succumbed to injuries and selling key players.

Like Raheem Sterling at Liverpool, the emphasis on getting the ball to Reus has resulted in him becoming overworked and without space to manoeuvre.

Such a signing would amount to a landmark moment in Rodgers' career. The Liverpool boss generally focuses on bringing in younger talent who he can develop in his own image, but the need for instant world-class quality is growing at Anfield. Reus could slot in anywhere across the attacking line, forming a terrorising trident with Sterling and Daniel Sturridge.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Clubs may be willing to pay a greater sum in January to secure Reus' signature, something Rodgers should consider if he's looking to make a statement with the 25-year-old's arrival. The aforementioned £32 million looks remarkably cheap when you consider Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic set the club back £25 million and £20 million respectively.

Supporters would react angrily if Reus is missed due to the pondering nature Liverpool have often succumbed to during transfer negotiations (with Mohamed Salah and Yevhen Konoplyanka being most obvious examples here).

Reus' future will continue to make headlines in the coming weeks, and indeed, until a resolution is provided to the saga.

Dortmund's prospects appear bleak, but they would darken further still if Reus—the remaining offensive star who led Jurgen Klopp's men to the 2013 Champions League final—throws in the towel on his Westfalenstadion stay.