The ‘crazy’ reported figures that explain why Klopp wants Liverpool to have ‘nothing to do with’ 21-year-old phenom

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Jurgen Klopp doesn’t want Liverpool involved for Erling Haaland this summer. Here are the ‘crazy’ figures that show why.

Jurgen Klopp told SportBild this week as he explained why Liverpool won’t be involved in the race for Erling Haaland. The Norwegian phenom is expected to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer – but the Reds aren’t considering a move.

“We won’t be going there,” said Klopp. “The numbers involved are just crazy – we’ll be having nothing to do with it. No chance! To be honest, I don’t want anything to do with it. It’s not fun.”

So just how crazy are those numbers? Haaland is one of the biggest prospects to come around for quite some time, dominating the Bundesliga at just 21. Liverpool would undoubtedly love to have him – but they have a limit.

Well, looking at the numbers previously reported, it’s hard to disagree with them.

Why Liverpool don’t want Erling Haaland

Reporting on Real Madrid’s interest, Spanish outlet AS put some numbers to the Haaland deal. They’re astronomical – ‘crazy’, in Klopp’s words.

First off, Dortmund would want around £83m as a transfer fee. That actually looks reasonable compared to the other stuff, maybe even a bargain.

Because agent Mino Raiola is supposedly asking for around £21m per year in wages for his client – net. A team would need to offer closer to £42m per year to both pay him and cover the tax for that. While that seems insane, it lines up with Bild’s report from August.

And that Bild report has another number – Raiola’s fees. He wants about £34m just for himself to get this done.

So clubs are looking at roughly £117m in immediate fees (not counting Haaland’s signing fee, that is) and then about £210m in wages across a five-year contract. All in all, well over £300m to sign the player.

As good as he is, Haaland isn’t worth that. Liverpool – and every other club – could build the best part of a title-winning side with that money. Spending it on one player truly is ‘crazy’ and Klopp is right to steer clear.