According to Bild, Liverpool have won the race to sign Schalke 04 midfielder Leon Goretzka on a free transfer at the end of the 2017-18 campaign.

What's the story?

Goretzka is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga, but Schalke will lose him on a free transfer at the end of the current season.

Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich have all been linked with the 22-year-old, who has scored four goals in 11 Bundesliga appearances this term.

However, according to Bild, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has convinced the Germany international to make the move to Anfield, and he will sign a pre-contract in January before linking up with his new teammates once his contract at Schalke has expired.

Joel Matip left Schalke for Liverpool in similar circumstances 18 months ago, and an announcement for Goretzka, who is valued at £36m by transfermarkt.co.uk, is expected to occur within the next few days.

What will Goretzka bring to Liverpool?

Should Liverpool complete the deal, they will be signing a player that has made 130 first-team appearances for Schalke over the last five seasons.

An energetic midfielder with an eye for goal, Goretzka netted eight times in all competitions last season, and has been among the goals this term - scoring four in 11 league fixtures.

He has also managed six goals in 12 caps for Germany, and on the market would more than likely cost in the region of £40m.

It would be some coup for Liverpool if they managed to beat the likes of Bayern, Arsenal and Tottenham to his signature, and it does appear that the presence of Klopp has Anfield has played a key role in Goretzka's decision.

Liverpool recently announced the capture of Virgil van Dijk as they bid to sort out their defensive issues, and a similar announcement for Goretzka in the coming days would set pulses racing at Anfield.

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