Liverpool Transfer News: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen Linked, Dries Mertens Rumours

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a January move for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen as current stoppers Simon Mignolet and Adam Bogdan continue to struggle between the posts.

According to Spanish outlet Marca (h/t Jack de Menezes in the Independent), Ter Stegen is considering his future at the Camp Nou as he continues to play second fiddle to Claudio Bravo and was left out of Barca's recent Club World Cup triumph completely.

As a result the Reds have been linked with the German 23-year-old as manager Jurgen Klopp seeks a new No. 1, per James Whaling in the Mirror.

Liverpool's goalkeeping woes have been well documented, with first-choice Mignolet prone to making costly errors, per Sky Sports Football:

And in Bogdan, Klopp does not have a reliable back-up, as demonstrated during Liverpool's 3-0 defeat to Watford last time out, per the Times' Henry Winter:

Ter Stegen would undoubtedly be a significant upgrade on both Mignolet and Bogdan as he is one of the best young 'keepers in the world.

Not that he has been able to show off his talents very often since making his move to Barcelona in May 2014.

Though he was an ever-present as Barcelona won the Champions League last season, he only made his La Liga debut in September 2015 and has made only four appearances in the Spanish top flight as he plays deputy to Bravo, per WhoScored.com. 

Despite their lack of Champions League football, Ter Stegen could surely be tempted to move to Liverpool to work under Klopp, and he would likely be handed many more opportunities than he currently has at Barca.

However, given that he is contracted to the Catalan giants until 2019, Ter Stegen will have to be eager to leave and Liverpool prepared to stump up a significant fee if the move is to stick.

Elsewhere, Liverpool have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Napoli winger Dries Mertens, whom they were planning to swoop for in January, per James Whaling in the Mirror.

Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images

The Belgian international is reportedly set to extend his contract with the Serie A club until 2020, a move that would effectively rule Liverpool out of signing Mertens in the near future, per Giovanni Scotto of Calcio Mercato.

His ability to play anywhere across the front three is undoubtedly attractive to Liverpool, who have had a number of injuries in attack recently, as well as several lacking form, notably summer signings Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino.

At 28 years old and with a wealth of attacking attributes, Mertens could be a much-needed experienced addition to Liverpool's inconsistent front line, but the Reds look set to be disappointed by the Napoli man.