Good Kop, bad Klopp.
The start of the transfer window should be an anxious time for everyone at Anfield, as Jurgen Klopp finally gets a chance to shape the squad he inherited from Brendan Rodgers in October.
The German coach has been linked with a number of players in various roles, with the most persistent doubts over the future of both Simon Mignolet and Adam Bogdan filling most column inches in the last number of weeks.
To be fair both men have made mistakes that have probably been overshadowed by the weak-willed efforts of their teammates in losses to Newcastle, Watford and West Ham recently.
But that hasn’t stopped Liverpool’s attempts to try and lure the club’s, and Klopp’s, favoured goalkeeping target Marc-Andre ter Stegen to England from Barcelona.
The German ‘keeper is very much the La Liga champion’s number two at the moment, but according to reports this morning, anyone looking to sign the netminder will need to stump up a lot of cash.
And we really do mean a lot.
The Daily Mirror claim that Barcelona inserted a buy-out clause into his contract last year of upwards of €65million, with any club unlikely to be able to afford a deal for the player in such astronomical terms.
It’s more than Real Madrid are willing to pay for David De Gea, and would be a world record for a goalkeeper if he was to be sold for that price.
The La Liga champions are likely to accept that the valuation is insane, and will hold out for something closer to around €20-25million, which will probably still see Liverpool, and owner John Henry, balk at the chance to sign the talented 23-year-old.
