turned down an offer for midfielder Federico Valverde from Liverpool in the final days of the summer transfer window, according to reports from Spain.
The Reds were in the market for midfield reinforcements in the latter stages of August after a spate of injuries, poor results and lack of form led manager to go back on his claim from that his side were well-stocked in the centre of the park.
Having lost out on signing Aurelien Tchouameni from AS Monaco, the French youngster instead moving to the Spanish capital himself, Liverpool were only able to complete a season-long loan move for ’ out-of-favour Brazilian Arthur Melo.
But claims that before the ex-Barcelona man’s signature was secured, Klopp had requested his superiors pursue Valverde, and that an offer in the region of £85m was put to the La Liga champions.
With Carlo Ancelotti having already sanctioned a surprise move to Manchester United for stalwart Casemiro, Los Blancos refused to entertain the idea of selling Valverde and so the bid was rejected out-of-hand, the report adds.
Under contract until 2025 and with a release clause set at just under £1bn, the Reds were forced to move on and pounced for Arthur once captain Jordan Henderson suffered a hamstring injury against Newcastle United.
Valverde, who signed for Real Madrid from Penarol in his native Uruguay in 2016, was a crucial part of the side which won the club’s 14th UEFA Champions League in May against Klopp Liverpool themselves.
It was the 24-year-old’s run down the right wing and cross which was tapped home by colleague Vinicius Jr. at the far post in Saint Denis for the opening goal shortly after the second-half began, and Liverpool were unable to respond.
Valverde has made 154 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring eight goals and assisting nine times.
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