Liverpool Transfer News: Mahmoud Dahoud to Dortmund Rumours Denied by Gladbach

Reported Liverpool transfer target Mahmoud Dahoud has not agreed a summer transfer to Borussia Dortmund, according to his current club Borussia Monchengladbach.

Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl told German source RP Online (h/t Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror) how Dahoud has not agreed to join a Bundesliga rival at the end of the season: "Nothing has changed. We have a great desire to extend the contract and I hope that we'll end up sitting at the table together."

Yet Eberl did leave the door ajar for a possible move for the player, whose contract will expire in the summer of 2018: "If it does not work, he still has a year left on his contract, so you would have to look into his eyes in the summer and see what is the best for everyone."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will likely enjoy hearing those words since Dahoud has reportedly been on his radar for a while. The Daily Star's Rhys Turrell made clear how the Reds have retained an interest in Gladbach's burgeoning 21-year-old ace: "Starsport understands Jurgen Klopp is still keen on the player despite being knocked back in the past."

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However, any thoughts Klopp had of bringing Dahoud to Anfield for next season appeared to be scuppered when German publication Bild (h/t TalkSport) revealed Dortmund had won the race to sign the all-action midfielder.

Eberl's words will cool those reports, while also putting the issue of Dahoud moving to Merseyside back under the spotlight.

There can be little doubt Klopp's squad needs more guile and quality in midfield. The German's current contingent possesses plenty of industry, with skipper Jordan Henderson and Brazilian Lucas Leiva both destructive forces. Meanwhile, Emre Can is a willing runner who fits Klopp's adherence to high and relentless pressing.

Yet none of Henderson, Leiva or Can boast much in the way of flair to unlock stubborn defences. By contrast, Dahoud has already shown a technical aptitude belying his tender years.

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He's provided three assists in Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League action this season, per WhoScored.com. More than numbers, though, Dahoud plays with a touch, fluidity and artfulness few of Liverpool's deeper midfielders can match.

Dahoud may be versatile enough to play further forward, but the Reds are well-stocked in those positions, thanks to South American schemers Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino. Perhaps that's why James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo recently reported Klopp and the club have "gone very quiet" on Dahoud.

However, going quiet could just be Liverpool's way of not tipping their hand while other clubs are also keen. Klopp would surely get a lot out of Dahoud by dropping him a little deeper, the way he's done with Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum this season.