Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Ilkay Gundogan, Mats Hummels Rumours

Liverpool are again being linked with two Borussia Dortmund stars, as incoming Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly looking to beat the Reds to Ilkay Gundogan and Mats Hummels has dropped a hint he could be leaving the Signal Iduna Park during the summer transfer window.

According to the Sun on Sunday (h/t Daily Mirror's James Whaling), Guardiola wants Gundogan to replace Yaya Toure in City's midfield, and talks involving a £25 million switch have already taken place.

The Germany international has been linked with a switch to Anfield as well, likely due to the presence of former manager Jurgen Klopp.

Gundogan's future has been a hotly debated topic for months, and Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel recently told reporters he would like to know whether or not he and some of his team-mates plan to sign extensions, via ESPN FC's Stefan Buczko:

Of that group, Gundogan seems most likely to leave. The 25-year-old's relationship with Die Schwarzgelben has been strained for years, and things got so bad at one point Dortmund even announced to the world he would be leaving the club last season, per BBC Sport.

The midfielder signed a new two-year deal shortly after, but the transfer speculation never really stopped. Per Metro's George Bellshaw, Tuchel acknowledged interest from the Reds and Manchester United is complicating new contract negotiations, and Gundogan doesn't seem likely to agree to a new deal at this point in time.

Fans and pundits are starting to grow tired of his antics, including BVB blogger Sandra Goldschmidt, who urged the club to prioritize players who have shown a passion for the club:

Losing Gundogan would be a big blow for Dortmund, but if the midfielder wants to leave the club, the summer transfer window would present the team's only opportunity to cash in on his services. By January, he'll be eligible to sign a pre-contract if his contract isn't extended.

Here's a look at why teams like City and Liverpool are so interested in Gundogan:

Gundogan is one of the best playmakers in Europe, and while both City and Liverpool have plenty of strong, creative midfielders in the squad, the German is too good a player not to pursue.

His history with Klopp gives the Reds a leg up over City, but the Citizens aren't afraid to splash the cash and are further along in their development as a team―immediate success would be more likely at the Etihad Stadium.

Meanwhile, Hummels, who has been linked with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United, has confirmed he will have a “big decision” to make at the end of this season, per Bild (h/t Daily Star's Marc Williams):

"

I do not necessarily want [to leave], but I have to make a big decision.

I believe that all parties want to clearly hear the decision before the European Championship.

Now, if I do sign a long-term contract [with Dortmund], I will be 31 or 32 years old at the end of the season. At the moment I do not plan to play until I'm 38.

I want to play a certain kind of football but I also want to win titles. The better the team, the greater the stimulus, to be part of it.

"

The centre-back has been with Dortmund since the 2008 season, when he joined the club on loan from Bayern Munich before making a permanent switch. He has developed into one of the most well-rounded defenders in the world with BVB, but a series of injuries during the last two seasons have held him back, per Transfermarkt.com.

When healthy, the 27-year-old ranks as one of the best defensive distributors in the world, as well as a strong aerial presence. Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Like Gundogan, Hummels has just one year left on his deal, and if he wanted to leave the club, the time would be now.

DW Sports' Alex Chaffer thinks a desire to win the UEFA Champions League will play a big part in his decision:

Dortmund are close to returning to the summit of European football after a disappointing 2014-15 campaign, and if Die Schwarzgelben can keep hold of their top stars, they could very well challenge for the Champions League next season.

But a foreign adventure might appeal to Hummels, who knows his biggest opportunity to earn a lucrative deal with a foreign club will come this summer, while he's in the middle of his prime.

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