Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Mario Gotze, Alexandre Pato, Top Rumours

Bayern Munich star Mario Gotze has opened the door for a summer transfer move to Liverpool, telling manager Jurgen Klopp to approach him if he wants to add him to his squad.

Meanwhile, Reds stars Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino are reportedly trying to talk Alexandre Pato into a move to Anfield, claustrophobia nearly ruined the deal for Marko Grujic and rumours regarding Anderlecht star Dennis Praet continue to swirl.

Speaking to Sport Bild (h/t Stephen Turner of Sky Sports), Gotze ruled out leaving Bayern Munich in the January transfer window, but his latest comments regarding his former boss left the door open for a summer move to Anfield:

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I have not heard anything. You should ask Klopp if he wants me at Liverpool. If he wants me, he should approach me.

I have six nice months ahead of me. It is always annoying when you cannot play and cannot help the team.

It is only normal that you think about things like that. But you have to look at the positives and build on those.

"

The star midfielder established himself as a top Bundesliga talent under Klopp at Borussia Dortmund before completing a move to rivals Bayern Munich in 2013. His career has somewhat stalled since then, although there haven been plenty of highlights, including his World Cup-winning goal for Germany against Argentina in 2014.

Still just 23 years old, Gotze could use a change of scenery, and with his contract set to expire in 2017, a summer move looks like a real possibility. It's unclear what kind of role he'll have under Carlo Ancelotti, who will replace manager Pep Guardiola in the summer, but given the Bavarians' wealth of attacking talent, there's a good chance he'll once again find himself confined to the bench.

Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror thinks a Liverpool move could be just what he needs:

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At the club labelled FC Hollywood, he’s never been handed the role as the leading man, [Pep] Guardiola’s welcome gift all too often an afterthought.

A reunion with his former mentor could be just what he needs to reinvigorate a career which has experienced the highest of highs, but of which more continues to be expected.

"

Gotze has the versatility to play in a central role or out wide, and as a prolific scorer and provider―he registered 10 goals and nine assists in his final Bundesliga campaign with Dortmund, per WhoScored.com―he would hand the Reds some much-needed help in the attacking third.

Signing the Germany international would be a major coup for the Reds, and given his links with Klopp, it may just become a reality during the summer.

He may not be the only new arrival. According to Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star, Coutinho and Firmino have spoken to Corinthians forward Pato, who is a reported transfer target for the Reds. Per the report, Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla even claimed the Brazilian has agreed to a move worth £11 million.

Buda Mendes/Getty Images

The former AC Milan star rediscovered his best form when he moved to Sao Paulo on loan in 2014 and could be one of the top bargain buys of the January window―providing he can stay healthy. Pato has struggled with injuries in the past, and while he's been healthy since returning to Brazil, prospective buyers will be wary.

Anderlecht starlet Praet is again being linked with a move to Liverpool, with rumours in the Italian media claiming the Belgian side will hold out for a £22 million fee. Per Kristof Terreur of Het Laatste Nieuws, the fee seems a little high, to say the least:

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As there were no teams willing to pay between £9m and £12m in the summer, I wonder what they were smoking in Italy. #LFC

— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) January 10, 2016"

Klopp has expressed his admiration of Praet in the past, reported Terreur, which goes some ways toward explaining the link. But the Belgian midfielder has endured a poor campaign, and his value has dropped, not risen since the summer.

A typical attacking midfielder, Praet needs to be on the ball to be successful, and in Coutinho, the Reds already have a ball-dominant midfielder who can carry the team. Praet wouldn't be a bad signing by any means, but Liverpool's priorities should lie elsewhere for now.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Finally, Grujic has revealed a mandatory MRI scan nearly wrecked his move to Anfield, as the Serbian youngster struggles with claustrophobia and almost told the Reds he wouldn't go through with the test.

He explained the incident to the Liverpool Echo's David Prentice:

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I am very claustrophobic, so it was very scary for me to lie for one hour in the dark in the MRI scanner.

When I heard that the MRI scan was compulsory, I was very close to saying that I didn’t want to do it! I was really afraid. I couldn’t stay inside it for one minute!

I called the doctor and raised a bit of panic so they were persuading me for around 20 minutes before I finally accepted to go inside it again. Finally, I bit the bullet and I got on with it. They made some special conditions for me.

"

The transfer saga surrounding Grujic went on for weeks, and in a way, a delay because of the mandatory MRI scan was somewhat fitting. The 19-year-old finally put pen to paper on Wednesday, but as stated by ESPN FC's Tom Bell, speculation he was close to signing had been mounting since the middle of December.

Grujic will stay with Red Star Belgrade on loan until the summer, when he'll make a permanent move to Anfield.

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