Liverpool receive boost in pursuit of Bayern Munich player

Liverpool have been given a boost in their pursuit of Bayern Munich playmaker Mario Gotze.

Bayern were reportedly hopeful of sending Gotze back to Dortmund as part of a deal to sign Mats Hummels, but Dortmund chief Hans-Joachim Watzke says that option is not on the table.

He said: "We have set a transfer fee (£30million), which is non-negotiable. Either it’s 100 per cent paid or the transfer will not take place."

With that statement, the possibility of Gotze going back to his former club appears to be off the table, boosting the Reds' chances of taking him to Anfield in the summer.

They have repeatedly been linked with the German World Cup winner, who has struggled to cement a place in Bayern's team since joining in 2013.