Liverpool Transfer News: Hatem Ben Arfa, Caner Erkin, Mario Gotze, Fresh Rumours

Liverpool have reportedly made a transfer offer for Nice winger Hatem Ben Arfa, while the agent of Fenerbahce full-back and Reds target Caner Erkin has admitted his client is looking for a summer move. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich midfielder Mario Gotze is rumoured to have met with Borussia Dortmund.

Premier League fans may remember Ben Arfa best from his failed spell with Newcastle United, but the Frenchman has rediscovered his best form since returning to Ligue 1 and is once again being talked about as a top transfer target.

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According to RMC (h/t Metro’s Tom Olver), Liverpool have already made an offer for the 29-year-old’s services, having scouted him closely in recent weeks.

European football writer Andy Brassell has also been watching the winger, and he's been impressed, as he noted in an article for Bleacher Report UK:

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First, there are the raw numbers. Ben Arfa has scored 16 times already this season. Only (Alexandre) Lacazette and (of course) Zlatan Ibrahimovic have scored more than him in Ligue 1 this season. When you consider Ben Arfa's previous highest tally in a league season—in either France or England—was six, it becomes even more astonishing.

He has contributed three assists as well, but the stats don't come close to conveying the full extent of Ben Arfa's majesty this season. He has transformed Nice from an average side into a must-watch, bold and brave with verve to spare.

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Where Ben Arfa was a flashy but unproductive player in England, he looks like a man transformed since moving to Nice. He’s still every bit as technical as he was before, but he has added an end product to his frequent dribbles.

His 16 goals in Ligue 1 from a wide position is an impressive number, and he’s the main reason Nice are still in contention for a UEFA Champions League ticket. His strong form hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly eyeing a move as well.

Per Andrew Gibney of FourFourTwo, it presents quite the turnaround:

Here’s a look at some of his highlights:

Reds fans may worry about Ben Arfa’s failed spell with Newcastle and the fact the Magpies were so desperate to get rid of him that they didn’t even bother to wait for a transfer offer but just released him. But if there’s one man who could handle his personality, it’s manager Jurgen Klopp.

The German is a superb man-manager with a knack for getting the most out of his players, and he could work wonders with Ben Arfa, who is undoubtedly motivated to prove himself on the highest level.

Meanwhile, Batur Altiparmak, the agent of Erkin, told Turkish-football.com (h/t Metro’s Olver) that the defender dreams of playing for a big club: "Like every Turkish player Caner would like to play for a top European club."

Olver links him with Liverpool, who are expected to add a left-back during the summer as cover for Alberto Moreno. Erkin would be a solid addition as an experienced, veteran option who still has plenty of prime years left.

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The 27-year-old has impressed since moving back to Turkey from CSKA Moscow in 2010, and while he’s not a well-known name outside of his native country, he’s a fine player who should more than hold his own in England.

Here’s a look at some of his highlights:

Erkin will be a free agent at the end of this season, making him an attractive option for any side. Per Erin Sarigul of Turkish-football.com, he’s unlikely to return to Fenerbahce after falling out with the club’s manager.

Finally, Abendzeitung (via the Daily Star's Jamie Styles) said Gotze has met with former club BVB to discuss a return to the Signal Iduna Park this summer.

Gotze left Die Schwarzgelben for Bayern in 2013, a move that shocked the fans. Per the Mirror's Aaron Flanagan, supporters have made it clear they don’t want him back at the club, but Dortmund officials may feel different.

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