Liverpool Transfer News: Andre Schurrle, Mats Hummels, Top Reds Rumours

Liverpool are reportedly targeting Wolfsburg's Andre Schurrle but look to have missed out on Mats Hummels, with Bayern Munich closing on the defender.

According to German outlet Kicker (h/t Joe Rimmer of the Liverpool Echo), the Reds are interested in the former Chelsea man, who has bagged nine goals and seven assists in all competitions this season.

The majority of those have come since the start of March, with a hat-trick against Hannover inspiring a revival of form, per Bundesliga experts Alex Chaffer and Archie Rhind-Tutt:

Since then, he has registered an assist against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League and scored against Gent, Darmstadt and Mainz. DW Sports' Stefan Bienkowski hailed his cool finish against the latter as a deserved reward for an excellent all-round performance:

Schurrle can play up front or on either flank, meaning he could provide useful cover for the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi or play alongside Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho in midfield.

However, for much of this season, he has not been in particularly inspiring form, and according to Squawka, he has created just 17 chances in the Bundesliga.

Though he could add a decent option to their bench if acquired cheaply, Schurrle simply doesn't provide incisive contributions often enough to warrant a regular place in Liverpool's starting XI.

Liverpool have also had their hopes of signing Hummels from Borussia Dortmund dented as, according to German newspaper Bild (h/t Marc Williams of the Daily Star), he "is set to complete a £24 million move to Bayern Munich" and "has agreed a four-year deal with the Bavarian club, worth around £8 million-a-year plus bonuses."

A top-class centre-back would go a long way to helping the Reds meet their ambition to return to the Champions League, and Hummels is undoubtedly such a player.

Here are some of his best moments this season:

According to Squawka, he has won an exceptional 66 per cent of his duels in the Bundesliga this season, winning 43 tackles and 105 headed duels as well as making 73 interceptions. He is also known for his ability to break forward from defence thanks to his composure on the ball, as evidenced by his completion of 21 take-ons from 26 attempts.

Bleacher Report UK's Clark Whitney gave context to Hummels' reported decision to sign for Bayern and an insight into the Bavarians' thinking:

Football writer Liam Canning also believes it will harm the competitiveness in the German league:

Though a reunion with Jurgen Klopp would undoubtedly be tempting for the defender, Bayern can offer virtually guaranteed trophies and Champions League football, so there may be little Liverpool can do to persuade him to move to Anfield instead.

A left-back is also sorely needed with Alberto Moreno inspiring little confidence at the back, but the Reds might also miss out on reported target Aaron Cresswell.

Dan Mullan/Getty Images

According to the Sun (h/t the Daily Star's Jamie Anderson), he is set to be offered a bumper five-year deal with his club West Ham United, which could prevent Liverpool from enacting the "big-money move" they had planned for him.

His position has long been a weak spot for the Reds, and Cresswell has developed into one of the Premier League's best, but with the Irons enjoying a positive spell under Slaven Bilic and soon to move into the Olympic Stadium, there are plenty of reasons for the Englishman to sign a new deal if one is presented to him.