With Julian Draxler looking set to leave VfL Wolfsburg in January, Liverpool have emerged as a potential destination.
Draxler has been agitating for a move away from the Volkswagen Arena since the summer, and is said to have seen a transfer request rejected by the Bundesliga club.
However, Wolfsburg’s hardline stance has changed ahead of January, and Draxler is due to depart the club on the turn of the year.
Paris Saint-Germain were believed to be the 23-year-old’s most likely destination, while Arsenal are long-term suitors, but according to the Times‘ Paul Joyce, the Reds have joined the race.
Klopp has suggested he would dip into the January market to add to his forward ranks after injury to Danny Ings and ahead of Sadio Mane‘s stint at the Africa Cup of Nations.
But this was said to be only if the German could find a player who would boost his side in the long term, with Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic a prime target.
With Dortmund refusing to sell Pulisic, however, Klopp’s attention seems to have shifted.
Draxler would no doubt be a big-money signing, and his transfer fee could possibly eclipse deals to bring Andy Carroll, Christian Benteke and, most recently, Sadio Mane to Merseyside.
But if Klopp does opt to move for Draxler, the Germany international would certainly be worth the money.
Primarily a left-sided forward, Draxler can play in any position across the front line, including as a central striker, and he has 38 goals and 39 assists in 215 senior club appearances so far.
This, despite his young years, has come across spells with Schalke and Wolfsburg, making his name as one of Germany’s finest emerging talents.
A great dribbler, who is excellent at keeping possession and picking locks in opposing defences, Draxler would add another key creative presence within Klopp’s attack.
The need for such a player has been highlighted in the absence of Philippe Coutinho, though the Brazilian is set to return from injury at the end of 2016.
Signing Draxler would allow Klopp to rotate his forwards further, and would serve as a major statement of intent in the Premier League title race.
The likelihood of a deal may be boosted by the fact Draxler shares agents with Loris Karius and Roberto Firmino, and is said to be “desperate” to play in the Premier League at some stage.
However, the Liverpool Echo claim the Reds are behind PSG in the race to sign the German.
Whether he makes his way to Merseyside remains to be seen, but he would be a real coup if so.
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