Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Gotze, Granit Xhaka Rumours Rated by Bild

Liverpool have been given a 40 percent chance of signing Bayern Munich attacking midfielder Mario Gotze this summer, while the Reds or Premier league rivals Arsenal's chances of signing Granit Xhaka are rated at a more favourable 80 percent.

Those assessments come from German tabloid Bild (h/t Jack Watts of the Daily Star) in an article estimating the chances clubs in England's top flight have of sealing deals for some of the Bundesliga's brightest talents.

Both Gotze and Xhaka represent obvious needs for a Liverpool squad that needs a retuning in midfield on Jurgen Klopp's watch. The ex-Borussia Dortmund chief doesn't have the ideal personnel to make his direct, rapid-breaking, high-press style of play work.

While James Milner and skipper Jordan Henderson are grafters, neither is blessed with the passing range, vision and sly off-the-ball movement for Klopp's game. Both are exceeded in each area by Borussia Monchengladbach star Xhaka.

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By the same token, while Adam Lallana has responded relatively well to Klopp's arrival, the former Southampton man can't match Gotze's pace, timing and deft touch in front of goal.

Klopp may also need to move on some players, including veteran defensive midfielder Lucas Leiva. The best way to refresh things in the middle would be adding a pair of quality internationals alongside some of the club's academy stars.

Speaking ahead of Liverpool's forthcoming Merseyside derby with Everton, Klopp had special praise for one particular precocious midfield playmaker, according to James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo:

If Klopp wants some new options to aid Cameron Brannagan's development, he'll struggle to find better than Gotze and Xhaka, both of whom appear to already be on the Liverpool radar.

In fact, the Guardian's Andy Hunter declared late last month how the Reds are "confident" of signing Gotze because of the player's history with Klopp. The two formed a very successful partnership before Gotze swapped Dortmund for Munich.

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As for Xhaka, Bild (h/t TalkSport) have claimed Liverpool head a queue including the Gunners and Manchester United for a player Klopp has been enamoured with "since his days" with Dortmund.

Xhaka would be an ideal fit at the base of midfield, where his staple long passes would release jet-heeled forward runners from an attack highlighted by Gotze's flair.

Adding both players to a core already including former Bundesliga talents Emre Can and Roberto Firmino would help Klopp impose his own identity on Liverpool's squad ahead of next season.

Given the early signs of promise from his reign, specifically reaching the UEFA Europa League semi-final, a more Klopp-esque squad should excite fans from the red half of Merseyside.