Liverpool Transfer News: Major Mario Gotze Blow Amid Mats Hummels Rumours

Liverpool's hopes of signing Mario Gotze have been dented as he could be used in a swap deal by Bayern Munich, who are hoping to sign Mats Hummels from his former club Borussia Dortmund. 

According to German outlet Bild (h/t the Sun's Jim Sheridan), Munich want to sign the defender from BVB who will "demand" Gotze's return as part of the deal.

Hummels could be on the move this summer lest Dortmund lose him for free next year, and he is yet to decide his future having thus far not signed a new deal at Signal Iduna Park, saying: 

"It’s a very difficult decision, and when I finally make it people will understand how hard it is for me. I’ve set a date, but I’m keeping it to myself. It’s been taking me at least half an hour extra to fall asleep for several weeks now because this is such a big issue for me."

Should Bayern pursue him it's understandable Dortmund would request a player from their rivals in return, particularly one who thrived at the club. The Bavarians may well consider parting with Gotze as he has not quite hit the same heights at the Allianz Arena.

Gotze has been unfortunate to spend much of this season out with injury but has managed to contribute four goals and three assists in his limited opportunities to play. Here are some of his best moments:

As Bleacher Report UK's Clark Whitney noted when the midfielder scored for Germany on his return to international football, he has not been helped by Bayern boss Pep Guardiola either:

Indeed, Whitney expects him to move on even with Guardiola departing the club this summer:

Gotze would make a phenomenal purchase for Liverpool, who have room for another playmaker to slot in alongside Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho.

B/R UK's Jack Lusby believes as much:

Indeed, he is a class above the majority of Liverpool's squad and at 23 still has potential to go onto even greater things.

Reuniting with Jurgen Klopp would undoubtedly be a tempting prospect for Gotze, but so too might a return to BVB. Since the Reds don't have a player of Hummels' quality to trade for him—nor could they afford to lose him if they did—landing Gotze ahead of Dortmund could be a particularly difficult task.