Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has fuelled speculation about a possible summer bid for Borussia Dortmund's Mario Gotze by revealing that he has been in contact with the playmaker, who is currently facing another spell on the sidelines.
Recent rumours have linked Gotze with a move to Anfield as the German star looks to rediscover his best form.
The midfielder has struggled to showcase his talents ever since he left Dortmund for Bayern Munich back in 2013 and though he has since returned to his old club, he has so far failed to impress many at the Westfalenstadion.
Klopp on Mario Gotze's issues: "We are in touch, we're always in touch. We've exchanged little messages. He has to work on it, and with it."
Gotze has recently been diagnosed with a rare metabolic disorder that means that his body is unable to properly processfats, proteins, sugars or nucleic acids and this latest setback has left both himself and his club unsure of when he will return to first-team action.
Despite the players' fitness issues, he continues to be linked with a move to Liverpool, where he would be reunited with his former boss and Klopp himself has admitted that he remains in contact with Gotze.
The German recently revealed to theStarthat he has been offering advice to his compatriotfollowing the player's latest setback.
"We have exchanged messages" the Redsboss said."Now he knows the diagnosis, he needs to work on it and with it."
Whilst Klopp remained coy on a future move for his former player, there clearly remains a strong bond between the two and if Gotze can overcome his fitness issues, he could yet emerge as top transfer target for the Reds in the summer.