Liverpool Transfer News: Ilkay Gundogan Battle Expected, Latest Rumours
Liverpool will go head-to-head with Premier League rivals Manchester City to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan this summer.
That's according to Alex Stevens of Football Insider, who claims the Germany international has told Die Schwarzgelben he doesn't plan on extending his current deal, which is set to expire at the end of next season.
Lluis Miguelsanz of Sport previously reported Gundogan wanted to join City and their incoming manager Pep Guardiola, ruling Barcelona out of the race, but per Stevens, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp will try and land his former player, regardless.
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Klopp played an instrumental role in developing Gundogan, who became one of the best playmakers in the world under his guidance.
The 25-year-old nearly departed Dortmund last year, with the club even confirming he would not be staying with Die Schwarzgelben, per BBC Sport. Just months later, he signed a new deal, but his future remained murky at best.
New manager Thomas Tuchel recently revealed interest from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United was complicating ongoing contract negotiations, per Metro's George Bellshaw.
Known mainly as a passing wizard, Gundogan is capable of the occasional outrageous goal as well, as shared by the Bundesliga's YouTube channel:
Liverpool have plenty of depth in the central areas, but there's no one in the squad who can match Gundogan in the passing department, and there's little doubt Klopp would love to add a player of his caliber.
The German manager's presence should hand the Reds some advantage in negotiations, although the allure of City might prove difficult for Gundogan to pass up. Liverpool are still rebuilding and not expected to challenge for the Premier League title next season―whether Gundogan is patient enough to go through a rebuild remains to be seen.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Blow
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, another Dortmund star who has been linked with a reunion with Klopp, has made it abundantly clear he wants to play for Real Madrid, disappointing a host of Premier League clubs in the process.
Per Jack Staplehurst of the Daily Express, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal have all been linked with the Gabon international, but he told L'Equipe his preferred destination would be the Spanish capital.
Via Staplehurst, he said: “In 2014, just before the death of my grandfather, who was born in Avila 100 kilometres from Madrid, I gave him the promise to play one day for Real. It'll be complicated, but this (promise) is anchored to a corner of my heart.”
Per WhoScored.com, the 26-year-old has already scored a remarkable 20 goals in 20 Bundesliga matches this season, keeping Dortmund in the title race.
His incredible scoring touch would be a welcome addition for the Reds, who have struggled tremendously in front of goal and don't currently boast a striker who appears to fit Klopp's fast-paced, counter-attacking style of play.
Aubameyang has plenty of experience working under Klopp, and his blend of raw athleticism and instincts would make him the perfect transfer target. The Bundesliga's official YouTube channel shared some of his best goals, as he finds himself in a race to the top scorer's title this season with Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski:
Similar to Gundogan, Aubameyang is likely to be a popular name on the transfer market once Dortmund decides to cash in, and the Reds would have to fight off a number of big clubs to secure his services.
It sounds as if Aubameyang has already made up his mind, however, and Real Madrid will be his next destination.
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