Jurgen Klopp could help Liverpool complete the signing of Benjamin Sesko this summer, according to reports.
The striker has been linked with a move to Anfield and has been touted as a possible Darwin Nunez replacement, although Alexander Isak is a name that continues to be mentioned as the primary target.
Sesko could provide a cheaper alternative and, with Klopp now overseeing the major football decision at Red Bull, it will only enhance Liverpool’s chances of completing a signing, claims Give Me Sport. The outlet states Arsenal is keen on the 21-year-old, but Sesko ‘had reservations’ over joining the London club last summer.
“Liverpool’s position in the race could give them an edge over Arsenal, especially with the influence of Jurgen Klopp,” the outlet states. “His new role as global head of soccer at Red Bull could play a part in swaying Sesko towards Anfield, particularly given the German tactician’s past rivalry with Arsenal and [Mikel] Arteta.”
Give Me Sport adds Liverpool and Leipzig have a ‘positive connection’ after completing deals for Naby Kieta, Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai in recent years. It comes after TBR Football claimed earlier this week that Liverpool has approached Leipzig over a possible summer transfer for Sesko, with the club likely to accept a bid lower than his £58m ($75m) buyout clause.
Meanwhile, as Klopp could influence a transfer next summer, he’s been discussing a previous deal he failed to complete. The ex-Liverpool boss has spoken about his regret at not signing Sadio Mane during his time at Borussia Dortmund, years before the pair ended up at Anfield together.
“There are a couple of Dortmund supporters here, so I have to apologise for them, because I didn’t sign Sadio Mane for Dortmund,” Klopp said at the 10-year anniversary celebration of Hout Bay United Football Community in Cape Town, as relayed by ESPN.
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“I could say I was young and naive [but] I wasn’t that young and naive. I realised it when he came to Liverpool. I thought: ‘That’s a lot of money [compared to what Dortmund would have had to spend to sign him initially].”
Klopp also revealed he tried to sign Kevin De Bruyne and Son Heung-min during his time at Dortmund, but both opted to move elsewhere.
