Bayern Munich are reportedly 'optimistic' of completing a deal that would see RB Leipzig star Konrad Laimer join next summer.
Liverpool were linked with the Austrian international this summer as pressure continued to grow on Jurgen Klopp to recruit in the midfield position. The Athletic revealed Reds officials had enquired about Laimer's services but their interest was subsequently rebuffed due to Leipzig's reluctance to lose one of their key players so close to the end of the transfer window.
Laimer is out of contract in 2023 and is yet to commit his future to his current employers, raising questions over his long-term future at the German club. Should Liverpool renew their interest in January, it is now expected they will face strong competition.
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Bayern are said to have had a 'deal in place' with the 25-year-old himself, though this fell through due to an agreement between the clubs failing to materialise. Sports journalist Fabrizio Romano has now claimed Laimer 'wants' a move to the fellow Bundesliga side and that the manager of the Bavarians, Julian Nagelsmann, is 'pushing' to recruit a player he spent two years working with at Leipzig between 2019 and 2021.
Laimer, sparked fresh speculation that he could be on his way to Anfield in the near future after admitting he is a fan of the club last month, stating: “I’m generally a football fan. I generally like watching the Premier League. I’ve always been a Liverpool fan. Surely there are such thoughts. I don’t think a club (Bayern Munich) like that comes knocking every summer, it’s one of the best in the world.
“I’m a here and now focused. If you worry too much, you lose sight of the most important thing – and that is playing football and getting better. I’ve been at Leipzig for five years and I feel good. Now it will be a year longer and then we will see what happens. When you’re associated with clubs like this, there’s a certain pride. But I’m more the guy who talks to people and needs a feeling that everything fits together.”
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