Jurgen Klopp turned down the chance to sign RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku for Liverpool.
Nkunku had been heavily linked with a move to Anfield throughout last summer, but the transfer never materialised. However, according to The Telegraph, that wasn’t for a lack of trying on the player’s part.
Liverpool are said to have been ‘offered the chance’ to sign the France international before the season began.
Somewhat bizarrely, it’s claimed that Klopp, as well as assistant manager Pep Lijnders ‘declined.’ Since then, Nkunku has continued his superb form for Leipzig and only missed out on the French World Cup squad through injury.
Chelsea have had no such qualms over the 23-year-old, and have now reportedly ‘struck an agreement’ with both Nkunku and his club. Another one bites the dust for Liverpool.
Darwin gets the nod over Nkunku
Of course, we don’t have the inner details of any such deal that Liverpool were offered for Nkunku here. It could have been that Klopp and Lijnders felt that the France star was simply too expensive.
It may also have been that Liverpool felt that a move for Darwin Nunez made more sense.
In the piece from The Telegraph this morning, it’s claimed that Lijnders was the main supporter of a move for the Uruguayan.
Given the assistant’s growing influence at Liverpool, could it be that he, not Klopp had the final say on this one?
In the end it doesn’t really matter. The Reds signed Darwin, and he looks set to be a really good signing. Stylistically, Nkunku is perhaps a little closer to playing the kind of Roberto Firmino role that Liverpool are used to. He’s also been described as being ‘dangerous’ by France boss Didier Deschamps via Kicker.
But having gone for something different, Nunez is probably the player with a higher ceiling. It may not feel like that right now as the 23-year-old misses chance after chance. But with the right coaching, he could become a superstar. This is will be frustrating for fans, but you can’t have everything.
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