Bad news for Liverpool as European giants refuse to deny interest in international target

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Liverpool’s hopes of signing Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka have been hit by the news that Bayern Munich may also be eyeing the Swiss international.

Bild [via the Mirror] reported in November that Jurgen Klopp was eyeing a raid on the Bundesliga as he looks to stamp his own identity on the Reds squad, and saw the defensive player as a key figure in 2016’s potential rebuild.

However, SportBild [via Goal] claimed on Wednesday that Bayern Munich were also looking at the Gladbach star, and were considering Xhaka as a potential long-term successor for Spanish World Cup winner (and ex-Merseyside icon) Xabi Alonso.

As reported by Goal, Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer has refused to deny that the Bavarian giants are also keen on the midfielder, but has admitted that the Swiss player is one of many different targets that Pep Guardiola and his scouting team are considering.

“Xhaka is a good player, no need to talk about that. But I am surprised by the directness [of today’s reports],” Sammer began.

“As Bayern Munich of course you take a look at a team like Gladbach which are winning everything at the moment. But I could tell you 20 other players as well.”

Bild [via AFP] previously noted that Bayern failed with a €35 million bid for the player ahead of the summer, indicating that while there is tangible interest on the part of the reigning German champions, they will have to spend big money to sign the 23-year-old.

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Xhaka has impressed at the base of the midfielder this season, and would arguably be an upgrade on the likes of Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen.

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