Jurgen Klopp has Gotze his eye on a former flame – but the Liverpool boss could have his heart broken for a second time.
With German wonderboy Mario Gotze reportedly unsettled at Bayern Munich, where he has struggled to establish himself, the rumour mill is tipping the 23-year-old to reunite with father figure Klopp at Liverpool.
Certainly, Klopp has a soft spot for Gotze – whose controversial departure from Dortmund in 2013 left his then manager visibly distraught.
Indeed, I visited the Dortmund training ground fully two years later – after Germany had won the 2014 World Cup – and that Gotze had scored the winning goal was still bitter-sweet.
One youth coach I spoke to reminisced passionately about Gotze's progression through the youth ranks – before catching himself as he recalled that the nation's pin up had since moved on.
But he has struggled since doing so – his time at the Allianz Arena riddled by injury, and inconsistency in his form has matched his patchy fitness.
The depth of Pep Guardiola's squad in Munich hasn't helped Gotze's cause, as the forward hasn't been able to play his way into form with a regular run of games.
With his contact due to expire next summer, Bayern could be tempted to cut their losses and reinvest his transfer fee, which would surely be more than the £32.5million spent on Christian Benteke last year.
Competition for Gotze should be fierce, with Man City bound Guardiola an almost constant defender of Gotze throughout his reign, while Manchester United and Chelsea are partial to a Galactico style signing.
Gotze would also fit in at Arsenal, alongside compatriot Mesut Ozil, but it's his bond with Klopp that makes Liverpool the favourites.
There, he'd also be guaranteed to be the main man, similar to his role at Dortmund, something Gotze will likely feel is key as he looks to rebuild his reputation – rather than get lost amid another star-laden squad such as Man City's.
Given the nurturing love that Klopp is renowned for, Gotze could rediscover his form – his electric performances throughout the 2012/13 campaign, as Dortmund reached the Champions League final, were a joy to witness.
He was a key cog of a formidable attacking triumvirate alongside Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski – and you could imagine him teaming up nicely with Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge at Anfield.
HOENESS A FREE MAN
Bayern legend Uli Hoeness has been released from prison, after just over two years behind bars.
He has been working with the club's youth team for most of that time – since he was granted day-release seven months into his sentence for tax evasion.
Hoeness attended his first Bayern game since his imprisonment on Wednesday night, attending the Mainz defeat as a 'free man'.
But he insisted that he has no role with the club, telling Bild: “I'm no longer in any role at Bayern. I'm not their president – I am nothing."
