Liverpool Transfer News: Major Ilkay Gundogan Boost, Latest Reds Rumours

Juventus director Beppe Marotta has ruled out January moves for Ilkay Gundogan and Ezequiel Lavezzi, two reported transfer targets for Liverpool.

Speaking to Sport Mediaset (h/t Football Italia), the Bianconeri boss was adamant his team will not make any major additions to its squad in the upcoming transfer window, as he believes the Italian champions don't need reinforcements:

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The January transfer window is one for reparation and we do not need to repair anything. In January the moves are not always advantageous for clubs, even if we remain vigilant for any interesting opportunities. Gundogan and Banega? I can rule out a move for them and the same goes for Lavezzi.

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Bild (h/t Daily Express' James Cambridge) recently linked Gundogan with the Reds, while Lavezzi has also been mentioned as a possible target, per Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli (h/t talkSPORT).

The former in particular is a player fans should get excited about. Gundogan has overcome major injury concerns to establish himself as one of the Bundesliga's best playmakers, and given his history with manager Jurgen Klopp, there are plenty of reasons to believe he could be persuaded to join the Reds.

Gundogan worked under Klopp when the latter managed Borussia Dortmund, and it was Klopp who developed him into the star midfielder he is today. A smooth passer with impressive range, he has drawn comparisons to some of the best passers in the world, via football writer Cristian Nyari:

Liverpool could use another playmaker in midfield, where the starting three of Emre Can, James Milner and Jordan Henderson boast plenty of quality but depth options are limited. Gundogan would add a true box-to-box force to the group, as well as a dose of versatility.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Dortmund may not be too eager to sell the 25-year-old, but his contract is set to expire at the end of next season, which will play a factor, per Bild (via Turkish outlet Bola, h/t Turkish Football).

Dortmund have returned to their very best and don't sit too far behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga standings, but Die Schwartzgelben seem unlikely to overtake the Bavarians anytime soon. The time could be right for Gundogan to take the next step in his career.

Lavezzi already took that step years ago, moving to Paris Saint-Germain, and things haven't really worked out for the Argentina international. He's set to become a free agent at the end of the season, and his experience and versatility make him a smart low-risk target for the Reds.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Liverpool lack pace and creativity out wide, and those are two traits Lavezzi brings to the table. While his role with PSG has diminished greatly in the 2015-16 campaign, he was a starter for Argentina during the Copa America final last summer, indicating he still has plenty left in the tank.

The 30-year-old is not a star or the type of signing that will excite most casual fans, but he can play the game, as seen below:

He still has tremendous straight-line speed and quickness in small spaces, two major assets in the Premier League, where defenders like to push forward and the counter-attack is a dominant weapon.

If Lavezzi doesn't sign a new deal with Les Parisiens, interested clubs can contact him in January, and even sign him to a pre-contract. Unfortunately, his agent Alejandro Mazzoni told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli (h/t Football Italia) his client would prefer a move back to Serie A:

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The Pocho's contract is set to expire, and if he doesn't renew, he'll be free to talk to other clubs in February. He misses Italian football a lot and he wants to go back to Italy. ... Right now we can't speculate on a turn of mind, but we'll see. Napoli loves El Pocho, I can see that from social media too. ... He left his heart in Naples and he'd come a-running, but it takes two for a wedding. The President is right to pursue this policy for his club. Between Italy and England, Lavezzi would choose Italy.

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Things can change quickly in football, and if Liverpool really want to add an experienced, proven winger who should contribute to the team's success immediately, a minor investment and significant wages could persuade both PSG and Lavezzi to make the move in January.

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