Rumour Mongering: Tottenham and Liverpool Put on Max Meyer Alert

Schalke attacking midfielder Max Meyer has been linked with both Liverpool and Tottenham for a couple of seasons now, with the talented 21-year-old attacking midfielder representing the kind of skill and workrate both clubs have made a priority under Jürgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino.

Now, with just a year to run on his current deal, the club's sporting director is making public statements that suggest Meyer could be free to move on this summer because the player is looking the kind of an improved deal that he hasn't yet done enough to earn on the pitch. Queue the rumour mongers.

"At the moment it does not make any sense to think about a new deal," was sporting director Christian Heidel's response when he was asked about Meyer's current, uncertain contract status by Bild over the weekend. "Max first has to convince the coach that he belongs in the starting eleven."

Added on to recent comments from Meyer admitting his future was uncertain and some public criticisms of his performances by Schalke manager Markus Weinzierl, and it begins to very much look like the end of his time at Schalke is drawing near. What that might mean next is another question.

Both Liverpool and Spurs have been linked with Meyer at times, but rarely have those links suggested he's at the top of either club's list. Still, if Schalke are indeed now looking to sell him on, both clubs would likely be interested in Meyer if the price was right.

Meyer has had a disappointing season with Schalke so far in 2016-17, having started just 16 league games for the mid-table side and scoring one goal and three assists, good for a goal involvement every 374 minutes he's been on the pitch in the Bundesliga.