LIVERPOOL FACE BATTLE TO SIGN EX-MAN UTD KEEPER RON-ROBERT ZIELER

LIVERPOOL FACE BATTLE TO SIGN EX-MAN UTD KEEPER RON-ROBERT ZIELER

Liverpool’s hopes of signing Hannover 96 keeper Ron-Robert Zieler appear to be fading.

Brendan Rodgers was hoping to snap up the former Manchester United player by activating a £7million release clause in his contract before next summer, German newspaper Bild reports.

But German clubs Schalke and Borussia Monchengladbach are also interested in Zieler.

Both would offer first-team football, with Schalke also in the Champions League, while the Reds only see the 24-year-old as cover for Simon Mignolet.

Hannover sporting director Dirk Dufner said: “I am sure that other clubs are interested in him.

“And if an offer comes in, Ron should definitely think about it. That’s part of being an intelligent player.

“If he decides to stay with us, so much the better.”

The keeper is not ruling out any options and, at this stage, staying at Hannover, moving to a Bundesliga rival and returning to the Premier League are all on the table.

Zieler’s agent said: “We have had good discussions, but not in intensive negotiations.

“Of course, Ron can imagine extending his time at 96.

“He became a Bundesliga goalkeeper at Hannover and he feels comfortable there, but it is still too early to decide.”