Reported Liverpool target Johan Bakayoko has turned down a move to Brentford.
Bakayoko has been put forward as a potential target for Liverpool in the closing weeks of the transfer window.
And as we ticked towards today’s deadline, it actually looked likely that the 20-year-old would be on the move from PSV Eindhoven, but not to Liverpool.
Instead, journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on Twitter last night that Brentford were ‘closing in’ on a £34m deal for Bakayoko.
Things looked to be chugging along smoothly, with the Bees set to seal a pretty impressive signing.
But then came the dagger from Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri. Also reporting on Twitter, Tavolieri exclusively revealed that Bakayoko had actually ‘refused’ to leave PSV.
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“EXCLUSIVE: JOHAN BAKAYOKO DECIDED TO STAY AT PSV EINDHOVEN!! It’s the choice of the player,” wrote the journalist, caps and all. “He refused Brentford FC.”
Interestingly, after links emerged with Liverpool, the Belgium international had also been urged to avoid joining the Reds.
If he does stay at PSV – as now looks likely – perhaps Liverpool could try again in a year’s time. Had he moved to Brentford, that would still have possibly been likely. But as we’ve seen before, a good year in the Premier League can hike a player’s value no end.
As a result, from a Liverpool perspective, maybe this can be seen as good news.