According to BILD, Liverpool are targeting FC Koln defender Jonas Hector; whilst The Metro report that John Obi Mikel has put contract talks with Chelsea on hold.
Matthias Hamann – brother of former Liverpool star Dietmar, who has worked as a scout for a number of Premier League clubs in the past – was spotted in the stands during Koln’s 3-1 defeat to Schalke on Saturday and BILD speculate he was present on behalf of Liverpool, running the rule over Jonas Hector and goalkeeper Timo Horn.
The left-back has registered over 100 league appearances for the Bundesliga outfit and represented Germany on ten occasions, providing two assists as Die Mannschaft claimed a 3-1 win over bitter rivals Poland back in September.
The 25-year-old, who has averaged an impressive 2.1 created chances per match this season and can also play in defensive midfield, has been mooted by other sources as a potential replacement for Alberto Moreno. The Spain international has struggled to hit the heights expected since signing from Sevilla in summer 2014.
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Meanwhile, The Metro report that John Obi Mikel has put contract talks on hold at Stamford Bridge amid interest from the Chinese Super League – who signed Chelsea team-mate Ramires, former Arsenal star Gervinho, Liverpool target Alex Teixeira and Atletico Madrid striker Jackson Martinez last month.
The Nigerian international has found himself a mainstay of the starting line-up under interim boss Guus Hiddink, starting twelve of his 17 fixtures in charge, and Chelsea are keen to extend his contract beyond its current expiration in summer 2017.
But according to The Metro, the Blues cult hero has decided to delay contract talks until the end of the season, when he expects to receive offers from other clubs and particularly the Far East.
They quote his agent as saying; “Chelsea have approached him for an extension. But he said after the season he’ll decide. He has many teams interested – almost three clubs in China want him. Mikel is in the prime of his career and his next contract is likely to be his last big one – so getting it right will be very important.”