Liverpool transfer news: £30m Chelsea target prefers Liverpool, Reds monitoring Bundesliga star and more

Jack Butland reportedly chooses Liverpool over Chelsea

According to various reports across England, including the Express, Jack Butland has reportedly set his hearts on a move to Liverpool amidst serious interest from their Premier League rivals Chelsea. Antonio Conte had identified the Stoke City shot-stopper as the ideal replacement for Thibaut Courtois, who is yet to sign an extension with the Blues, due to the persistent pressure from Real Madrid.

It looks like Butland has finally made a decision

However, it seems like Jurgen Klopp has stolen a march on the race for Butland's signature after reports emerged that the England international prefers to make a switch to Merseyside. If the reports are to be believed, Butland will soon join Virgil van Dijk, who joined for a record £75m from Southampton, and is expected to be the next piece of the puzzle in Klopp's rebuilding process.

The 24-year-old has impressed for Stoke over the years and it is rumoured that he will be available for a reported fee of around £30m, a benchmark set by Jordan Pickford, who joined Everton in the summer on a record fee for an English goal-keeper.

Liverpool join the race for Leon Goretzka

Goretzka is open to a pre-contract agreement in January

Liverpool have emerged as surprise contenders to prize away Schalke's Leon Goretzka in January, according to German publication BILD. The 22-year-old will be out of contract in the summer and is expected to move amidst the overgrowing interest of a number of clubs including Bayern Munich and Manchester United.

Despite Schalke's best efforts to try and make him stay at the club by offering a lucrative deal, it is believed that Goretzka is all set to leave the country sooner rather than later. Liverpool are now confident of landing the German international, after snapping up his former teammate Joel Matip under similar circumstances in 2016.

Klopp has reportedly identified the midfielder as the ideal partner for Naby Keita, who will join the club next summer, as Liverpool try to finally end their long wait for the Premier League title. Liverpool might lose out on Coutinho in the summer but it is still exciting times in Anfield if you're a fan considering their recent business in the transfer window.

Daniel Sturridge wants Southampton move

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is reportedly attracted by the interest shown by Southampton, according to the Mirror. The 28-year-old has been playing second fiddle to Roberto Firmino at Anfield this season and is on the lookout for a club that can offer him regular first team football in a bid for making the cut for England's World Cup squad.

Maurico Pellegrino has now identifed Sturridge as the perfect candidate to help his side stay away from the wrong end of the table and is willing to sign him up on loan in January. The Saints have plenty of problems on their own and the injury to Charlie Austin is another huge blow for the side, who are just one loss away from dropping down to the relegation zone.

Sturridge is expected to add pace, power and goals to Pellegrino's side and the club is believed to be desperate to pull off a deal after reportedly losing out on Cenk Tosun to Everton. However, it is rumoured that Liverpool will rebuff any loan deals for Sturridge and a price tag of £25m has been slapped on the player.

Despite all that, Southampton believe that they can still get their man due to the recent transfer history between the two clubs.