Liverpool and Bayern Munich are battling to secure Max Kruse as a backup striker for next season.
This is according to German outlet Sport1, one of the country’s better sources when it comes to transfer news.
Kruse is attractive as he’s available on a free transfer on the expiration of his Werder Bremen contract this summer.
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At 31-years-old, he’d be a very atypical signing for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds – but our manager did secure an ageing Ragnar Klavan from the Bundesliga for hardly any money – so it’s not unheard of.
Kruse scored 11 goals in total last term, eight the season before and 15 in 2016/17.
He’s not an out and out forward though, often dropping deep – and he actually played half of Werder’s matches from attacking midfield in 2018/19.
This makes him more suitable for Liverpool as a rotation/bench option than Daniel Sturridge – as the Englishman does his best work in the penalty area – but in Mo Salah and Sadio Mane – we have wingers who want to get in into the box and need a forward who can make them chances/room, like Roberto Firmino does.
Sturridge is leaving on a free, so Kruse would be an interesting option – but certainly not the exciting ones most fans would be hoping for.