Goretzka heading to Liverpool after scoffing at Barcelona wages

Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign to Schalke’s Leon Goretzka in January, according to Don Balon.

The report claims Jurgen Klopp has clinched the signing of the Germany international and he will move to Anfield in the next transfer window, rather than at the end of the season when his contract expires.

He is able to sign a pre-contract agreement in January, but the Reds have gone one step further and negotiated a deal sign the player on January 1.

Last week Germany assistant boss Oliver Bierhoff inadvertently revealed that Goretzka will be joining the vast number of German stars already playing in the Premier League.

“We feel that England, because of the amount of money you have with TV rights, young talented players like Leroy Sane and [Schalke’s] Leon Goretzka are moving to England and this is not good for our league but also for the quality of our game,” said Bierhoff.

The midfielder has emerged as one of the most in-demand players in Europe with his contract running down. The likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been linked with a move, while there is also interest from Barcelona.

The report also claims that Goretzka’s arrival could spell the end of Philippe Coutinho’s Liverpool career, despite the Brazilian’s latest comments that he was “very happy with his life”.