Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Gotze 'Bargain' Lined Up, Jonas Hector Rumours

Liverpool appear to be edging closer to the signing of Bayern Munich man Mario Gotze, with reports suggesting a transfer is likely to be completed for a fee close to £20 million. 

According to Paul Joyce of the Daily Express, the Reds are “increasingly confident” of getting a deal done that’ll see them pay a "bargain" sum of between £15 million and £20 million, with the Germany international “ready” to move to Anfield in the summer.

With just one year remaining on Gotze's current contract, Simon Jones of the MailOnline also reported Liverpool are hopeful of getting this one over the line for a £20 million fee.

In his piece, Joyce noted Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is the driving force behind any possible transfer. 

“The attacking midfielder has privately indicated he wants to play again for Klopp, who first nurtured his talent at Borussia Dortmund, and is keen to move to Anfield,” he wrote, suggesting that while the potential fee is low, the personal terms likely to be demanded by the player will make the value of the deal “swell considerably.”

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Here is a reminder of Gotze’s quality and why this is an acquisition that Liverpool supporters are starting to get excited about:

Surprisingly, while he’s a superb technician, skilful manipulator of the ball and versatile in the roles he can play, the German has never thrived under manager Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich.

When he arrived at the club in 2013, Gotze was rated as one of the top young prospects in Germany, yet after failing to establish himself in the first team, his star has faded.

Despite this, the 23-year-old has still been able to have a continued positive impact in the final third. Bleacher Report’s Jack Lusby broke down the numbers involving this extremely talented footballer:

It’s a transfer that looks increasingly likely to happen and one that illustrates the gravitas Klopp has as a manager.

If Gotze is available in the summer, then there’d be a lot of teams on the continent keen on landing him, but it seems that having nurtured him brilliantly during their time at Borussia Dortmund, the playmaker is set to opt for Klopp's current club.

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The fee would be the icing on the cake for Liverpool. While personal terms may increase the transfer’s overall worth, a cut-down price immediately takes the pressure off Gotze to thrive at Anfield. Given time and a regular spot in the side, there’s little doubt he will.

David Maddock of the Daily Mirror has also reported the Reds are moving closer to a deal for the Bayern man, and that Klopp is looking to secure the £12 million purchase of FC Cologne man Jonas Hector.

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“While that sum is above Liverpool’s valuation the Reds boss may be tempted to pay up for the left-back before he heads off to the Euros, where Germany are among the favourites to lift the trophy,” Maddock added of the left-back.

Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe provided a rundown on why Liverpool would be wise to target this versatile player:

It’s an area in which the Reds could do with some reinforcements, with little cover for the spot’s current incumbent, Alberto Moreno. The Spaniard is a major threat during Liverpool’s forward forays, but when asked to stay focused at the back and defend with composure, he often struggles.

Hector, 25, is a much steadier influence at the back and the kind of adaptable footballer every side needs.

While Gotze would be a glamorous capture, Klopp has always sought to build squads that contain hungry players who are capable of being deployed in a variety of roles, and Hector ticks all of the boxes in that respect.