Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Ben Chilwell, Mario Gotze, Top Rumours

Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell is reportedly keen on a move to Liverpool despite interest from Arsenal, while the Reds are said to have been handed a blow in their pursuit of Bayern Munich’s Mario Gotze. 

According to Melissa Reddy of Goal, despite the fact the Gunners have “extensively monitored” the Foxes starlet, “his preferred destination is Anfield.” It’s noted Liverpool would expect to part with an initial £8 million to get the defender on board.

Elsewhere, according to BT Sport’s German football expert Raphael Honigstein, Gotze is edging closer to a return to former club Borussia Dortmund:

It’s previously been reported the Reds were hopeful manager Jurgen Klopp could lure his former protege to Anfield, per Paul Joyce of the Daily Express.

Taking the Chilwell deal, it’s a transfer that would make a lot of sense for Liverpool. At the moment, Alberto Moreno is the only real option for Klopp at left-back, with Brad Smith showing he’s not quite ready to deputise after his red card against Swansea City on Sunday.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

The 19-year-old is a big talent, too. While opportunities in the champions’ first team have been rare, there have been clear glimpses of his quality.

Chilwell is a defender first and foremost, which would give Liverpool a different kind of option to the rampaging, attack-minded Moreno. Still, the Leicester starlet is adept going forward.

UMAXit Football’s Raj Bains noted earlier in the year that the youngster had impressed during a spell on loan at Huddersfield Town:

It seems as though Liverpool are in the driving seat when it comes to this deal, and it will encourage supporters to see the club chasing the best English talents around.

Chilwell could yet view Leicester as a club going places after their remarkable Premier League title triumph, though, so it’d be a surprise if there were no twists in this transfer.

There’s been a twist in stories linking Gotze with the Reds, with Honigstein now suggesting he’s close to a return to Dortmund. Here’s what Liverpool would be missing out on:

Klopp was key to a young Gotze emerging as one of the best players in the Bundesliga as a teenager, helping the club to two league titles.

The playmaker moved to Bayern in the summer of 2013, but since then he’s failed to establish a regular spot in the first team.

The chance to head back to Dortmund, who are moving in the right direction under manager Thomas Tuchel, would be appealing for the player. Bleacher Report’s Jack Lusby is unsure whether Mats Hummels moving to Bayern would necessarily trigger another transfer:

While the chance to work with Klopp again—not to mention sample a new league—would be appealing, Dortmund are a team on the up.

They’ll be back in the UEFA Champions League next season and will be hopeful of pushing Bayern, who will lose head coach Pep Guardiola in the summer, for the title. Gotze would surely be keen to be part of that.

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Elsewhere, Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Paris Saint-Germain teenager Jonathan Ikone.

According to Simon Jones of the MailOnline, the Reds and Manchester City are keeping an eye on the winger, who could reportedly be available for a cut-price £1.2 million. Here’s what the 18-year-old is capable of:

Jones added:

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Mega-rich City have invested significant time and resources in their academy in recent years and although incoming boss [Guardiola] is likely to engineer a makeover of the club's senior squad this summer, a young player like Ikone remains of interest.

Liverpool are also keen on the player who is currently mulling over what to do in the next stage of his career with his representatives.

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While Ikone has yet to make an impression at senior level, it’s clear from the clip that he’s a player with tremendous natural talent. And given the Reds only have one winger in their squad in Jordon Ibe, planning for the future with depth in these positions would be a savvy move on Klopp's part.