Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka is set to make a decision on his future by the end of January, with Liverpool among the clubs interested.
Goretzka is in the final year of his contract with the Bundesliga side, and can enter talks with clubs outside of Germany at the start of next year.
The 22-year-old is courting interest from a host of top clubs around Europe, including Juventus, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Arsenal and Man United.
Liverpool are also pursuing a deal for the 12-cap international, while Schalke still harbour hopes of convincing Goretzka to stay in Gelsenkirchen with a club-record new deal.
Speaking after his side’s 2-2 draw with FC Koln on Saturday, Goretzka revealed that he would decide on his next step in January.
“I have to find out for myself what the next step should be,” he told reporters at the Veltins-Arena.
“I have to consider a million things. I am a person who is very meticulous in such decisions. I play through all the scenarios. So I need time.
“There doesn’t exist a deadline, but I think we are in the final phase. The final decision will be made in January.”
Goretzka is enjoying an excellent season so far, scoring four and assisting one in 11 games, with Schalke sitting third in the Bundesliga, one point behind second-placed RB Leipzig.
He has largely operated in central midfield, though Domenico Tedesco has given his No. 8 license to drive forward and support the attack.
A multi-faceted midfielder capable of operating in a variety of roles, Goretzka would slot in comfortably among Jurgen Klopp‘s current options.
It could be that he arrives to replace one, too, with Emre Can in a similar situation as he mulls over whether to stay on Merseyside or leave on a free transfer next summer.
Both Juventus and Borussia Dortmund are interesting in signing the Germany international, while Can himself has stressed he could still commit his future to the Reds.
Goretzka would be a natural replacement for Can if he were to move on, and it can be argued that he would represent an upgrade on his compatriot.
Klopp has already secured one addition to his midfield ranks ahead of next season, with Naby Keita to swap Leipzig for Liverpool in a £55 million deal.
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