Liverpool Transfer News: Major Mario Gotze Blow, Latest on Timo Horn Rumours

Liverpool have been dealt a blow in their reported pursuit of Mario Gotze, after Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said the door was open for him to return to the club, but the Reds have been boosted after goalkeeping target Timo Horn refused to commit to FC Cologne. 

Gotze controversially departed Dortmund for Bayern Munich in 2013 for €37 million but has failed to nail down a first-team spot at the Allianz Arena, and Watzke said he would be welcomed back at the Westfalenstadion, although the fans would need an explanation as to why he left, per Sky's Audi Star Talk show (via ESPN FC):

"

If he's on the market, it's clear if we discuss about him. The door is always open for every player who comes from Dortmund.

If he returns we have to talk with the fans and he has to explain how he left for Bayern. But I don't think that they won't give him a second chance.

"

Meanwhile, Liverpool have reportedly been scouting Horn, 22, as a potential replacement for current No. 1 Simon Mignolet, and the German has refused to commit himself to current club Cologne, despite having a contract with them until 2019, per The Set Pieces' Archie Rhind-Tutt (via the Mirror):

"We will see. I have a long contract [until 2019] in Cologne, and my heart is in Cologne. I think we will talk about it with the manager [Peter Stoger], Jorg Schmadtke and also the goalkeeper trainer and then we will see what comes next."

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Rhind-Tutt added that Horn has a reported release clause of €9 million (£7 million), making him a very affordable target for the Reds. 

Mignolet came under further scrutiny on Saturday when he was at fault as Newcastle United came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Liverpool at Anfield.

The Belgian is far too error-prone to be Liverpool's No. 1, and his mistakes have cost the Reds a potential top-four spot this season, per the Telegraph's Ali Tweedale:

Horn has been excellent for Cologne ever since making his first-team debut back in 2012, and he has been an ever-present in the Bundesliga this season, per WhoScored.com. 

He will only improve as he gains more experience and can build on his already-excellent shot-stopping abilities—see highlights below:

Horn would be an excellent addition to manager Jurgen Klopp's squad and could potentially be Liverpool's No. 1 in the long term.

Similarly, Gotze, 23, could be an Anfield star for the next decade if Liverpool could snap him up, and Klopp—who managed the German attacker at Dortmund—is reportedly "keen" to be reunited with him, per Kristian Walsh in the Liverpool Echo.

Alongside the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Robert Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, Gotze could be devastating in the Liverpool attack, as he is both an effective goalscorer and an efficient provider.

However, Liverpool may struggle to sign him if they have to compete with Dortmund, as not only will Gotze likely be eager to rejoin his former club, but BVB can also offer him UEFA Champions League football next season.