Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Gotze Move Discussed by Father, Latest Rumours

Liverpool's reported pursuit of Mario Gotze has been dealt a major blow after the Bayern Munich forward's father and new manager, Jurgen, suggested he would not be moving to Anfield.

Per Stephan Uersfeld on ESPN FC, Gotze recently "said he wants a new beginning at Bayern" having been underused by outgoing manager Pep Guardiola and announced that he will now be represented by his family, not Sports Total agency.

His father has now further backed his son's future as lying at Bayern by rejecting recent reports suggesting he could reunite with his former Borussia Dortmund boss, Jurgen Klopp, per German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung (via Uersfeld): "I don't know anything about an alleged imminent transfer to Liverpool. Mario is my son, we talk to each other. I would know about it."

Bleacher Report's Dean Jones recently said that Gotze, 23, could "fit in perfectly" at the Merseyside club and reported the Reds are preparing a £20 million bid:

Former Bayern boss Ottmar Hitzfeld also backed the move, not least because of Klopp and Gotze's previous relationship at BVB, per Omnisport (via Dan Gibbs in the Daily Express):

"

When I heard that Liverpool and [Klopp] might be interested I thought that was a good idea, because Gotze is a very good player, who could help Liverpool.

They don't have any similar, technically strong players for the offence.

[Gotze] would fit in with Liverpool and [Klopp], who knows Gotze. He would instantly have a relationship of trust, so it would be a win-win-situation.

"

It was under Klopp at Dortmund that Gotze first emerged as a world-class talent, and he moved to Bayern in 2013 for €37 million (£31.5 million).

He was expected by many to kick on and become one of Europe's top players, but his progress has been stunted as he has been used only as a squad player by Guardiola—he made only 11 Bundesliga starts in 2015-16, per WhoScored.com.

It was recently reported that incoming Bayern boss Carlo Ancelotti also had no plans to use him and told him to find a new club—a huge boost for Liverpool at the time—but Gotze later denied that claim, per Bild (via Uersfeld): "Despite contrary reports, I had a very good phone call with Ancelotti. And I am looking forward to working with him."

It now seems as though Liverpool's chances of signing the 2014 FIFA World Cup winner are gone, although Sport Witness suggested the Germany international could be calling out Bayern:

Elsewhere, Reds centre-back Kolo Toure will reportedly not be offered a new contract by Liverpool.

Per MailOnline's Mike Keegan, the 35-year-old's current deal expires next month and it is "very unlikely" he will be offered a new one, meaning he will become a free agent this summer.

Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

The Ivorian joined the Reds in 2013 and "has become a cult hero amongst fans of the Merseyside club," per Keegan.

But, considering his age, it would make little sense to keep him on at Liverpool next season, not least because Klopp needs to overhaul his centre-back ranks, a process he started back in February by confirming the summer signing of Schalke 04's Joel Matip.