Jurgen Klopp could have a huge influence on whether Liverpool sign a Bundesliga star – with Arne Slot thought to be an admirer of the player.
Klopp, 57, left Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season after nine trophy-laden seasons with the club.
Since then, Slot, 46, has taken the reins at Anfield, and so far, life is playing out almost perfectly, with the Reds currently four points clear at the top of the Premier League as well as topping the 36-team Champions League group stage with a one hundred per cent record in their six games in the competition.
However, uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah’s, Virgil van Dijk’s and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contracts continues to rumble on – with all three set to see their current deals expire in June 2025.
Liverpool are reportedly interested in PSG (currently on loan at RB Leipzig) attacking midfielder/winger Xavi Simons, 21. The Amsterdam-born star predominantly plays on the left flank so would not be a 'replacement' for right-sided Salah, and could act as competition for the likes of Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz.
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A recent report from The Athletic suggests that the Reds may have to compete with Barcelona, Bayern and Real Madrid if they were to sign the Netherlands international.
His “anticipated transfer fee is €80million (£66.6) minimum”.
Now, BILD chief Christian Falk has revealed that Leipzig plan to use Klopp as their "secret weapon" to ensure he signs for the German club permanently.
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“Leipzig are interested in keeping Xavi Simons permanently,” Falk told Caught Offside.
“However, they can’t agree another loan move next term, as you’re only allowed to do it twice to the same club. So, next summer, they have to see if they can buy him from PSG.
“PSG want about €80m [£66.1m] for his services, which is too high for Leipzig. I heard they were thinking about €50m [£41.3m] up front and then a further €30m [£24.7m] to PSG if they sell Simons to another club.”
“Interestingly for Leipzig, they now have a secret weapon in the form of former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, which they could potentially rely upon,” he added.
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“He’s starting his new role with Red Bull on January 1, and they hope that he’s the man who could persuade Simons to stay put. This will be the first challenge for Klopp in his new role.”
Of course, the role mentioned is Klopp’s first job since leaving Liverpool. The German will become Red Bull’s Head of Global Football, overseeing the clubs on their roster at the start of 2025 – including RB Leipzig.
Ironically, Simons suffered a ligament injury in his left ankle during Leipzig’s 1-0 Champions League defeat against Liverpool on October 23.
He has not featured since and will likely miss the rest of the calendar year.
Topics: Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, Bundesliga, Xavi Simons, RB Leipzig, PSG
Luke Davies