Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel has admitted that contract negotiations with Ilkay Gundogan have entered difficulties due to the interest in from Europe’s elites.

Talks are on-going to tie Gundogan down to a long-term contract at Dortmund.

“The importance of Ilkay is undisputed – I would like to tell you that he has extended until 2026, unfortunately that is not the case, but we are in talks. We have a good chance,” Tuchel said at a pre-match news conference (via Goal).

“The interest in Gundogan is great, which is why talks are not very easy.”

Gundogan has been linked with a move to Anfield ever since the appointment of Klopp as manager in place of Brendan Rodgers.

Klopp does of course know Gundogan well from his time managing the Dortmund prior to taking charge of Liverpool

Dortmund also rejected an approach from Liverpool’s rivals Manchester United earlier on in the season according to the German newspaper Express.

The Germany international is tied into a contract at Dortmund until 2017 after signing a contract extension at the start of the season.

Gundogan has six assists and three goals in 31 appearances for Liverpool this season.

Dortmund sit in second place in the Bundesliga with 45 points in 20 games. The Bundesliga giants take on Hannover 96 this weekend in the league.

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