Liverpool put on high alert as long-term target rejects new contract, club CEO comments on the latest

Liverpool might have been dealt a blow in their chase for Leon Goretzka as the German decided to move to Bayern Munich but a new report claims that we could be in for another star midfielder, Max Meyer. The 22-year-old has been great for Schalke this season but according to reports from Germany (h/t Birmingham Live), the German has rejected a new deal with the Bundesliga side.

That would be a major blow for Schalke as Meyer would become a free agent in the summer and do the same move as Goretzka and leave the club for nothing. Schalke are currently third in the Bundesliga just one point behind bitter-rivals Borussia Dortmund and their performances in the league have been great, thanks to the midfield pairing of Goretzka and Meyer.

However, with Goretzka joining Bayern, the club have changed their target and are looking to tie down Meyer for the long-term.

The problem with Meyer being a free agent is that he can negotiate with clubs outside the Bundesliga too and that is where we come in. Although Goretzka was our primary target, it would make sense if we try to sign Meyer now, given that we could lose Emre Can for free.

The report suggests that Arsenal and Barcelona are also looking at Meyer but we would have one advantage over Arsenal and that is Champions League football next season.

Christian Heidel, the Schalke CEO also claims that Meyer is now the fulcrum of the current side and that is not going to be his role should he decide to go somewhere else.

“At the moment, we’re still ready to talk, but we have to plan for the new season.

“Domenico Tedesco has formed the team around him, so that Max Meyer is now in an ideal position. That wasn’t the case before. He has to think, regardless of the economic aspect, ‘would I be in this position at another club?’”

Meyer has mostly played as a defensive midfielder this season and that is exactly the role he would play if he joins us. Sure, he would have to be more dynamic but the 22-year-old can adapt to Jurgen Klopp’s playing style.

Getting him for free would be fantastic and hopefully, we can sign him up before some of the other big clubs come calling.