The summer transfer window is yet to open, but teams like Liverpool are already lining up their big signings. Mario Gotze is understood to be their marquee target and a reunion with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp looks highly-possible, but the Reds' boss refused to talk about the midfielder as the club's target.
It was under Klopp at Borussia Dortmund that Gotze flourished, and after his impressive showing in the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich snapped the player in 2013. To be fair, injuries have also sidelined the midfielder. The German has not played much for the champions, and has rather warmed the bench. Gotze has only started in five matches in the Bundesliga this season.
Like any footballer, Gotze also wants to play rather than watching the game from the dugout. It is at this juncture, Liverpool's Klopp could attract Gotze, who can get a chance to feature for Liverpool on a regular basis.
Gotze ticks the bill for Klopp, who wants players with pace, playing the high-press game. Gotze can immediately relate to Klopp's football philosophy, as he followed a similar high-pressing game at Dortmund.
Gotze is an important member of the German national team. The midfielder came up with an impressive display against Italy in their last friendly, and Klopp hailed the player for his "extraordinary quality," making fans ponder on Gotze's impending move.
"I was pleased to hear that Mario put in a great performance for Germany on Tuesday. He is a player with extraordinary quality. He is trying to get fully fit again after a four-month spell on the sidelines due to injury," Klopp was quoted as saying by the Sun.
However, Klopp was not interested in talking about "whether Gotze is a target for Liverpool" or not, but was open to talk about new signing – Joel Matip -- , who will bolster Liverpool's defence next season. Klopp signed Matip from Schalke mid-February.
"But that's all I can say about Gotze. I am happy to talk about [Joel] Matip or about other things, but not about whether Gotze is a target for Liverpool," Klopp said.
Liverpool fans will be pleased if Klopp manages to sign Gotze, who will bolster their team for the next season. With Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge as their major stars offensively, Gotze will can play an important role in making Liverpool a dangerous unit.