6 Sept 2016

Anfield Update: Liverpool could've signed 'unbelievable' sensation for £10m. Offers made but Klopp rejected deal

Over the summer, Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for Leicester full-back Ben Chilwell, and although Anfield was reportedly the 19-year old's 'preferred destination', the deal didn't happen. Why did this particular transfer fail? New reports today suggest that Jurgen Klopp vetoed the deal on financial grounds.

Liverpool made several offers for Chilwell, but according to Ex-Times journalist Tony Barrett:

"The £10m fee that Leicester City were seeking for Ben Chilwell went beyond what Klopp thought reasonable and the deal was not done".

On this occasion, I totally agree with Klopp. £10m for a teenager with no Premier League experience? No chance. Some info about Chilwell:

* Left-back. Graduated from Leicester's academy. Current contract expires: 2021. 4 senior apps for Leicester (cup competitions). No league appearances.

* Jan 2016: Channelling his inner-Brendan Rodgers, Claudio Ranieri raved: "He [Chilwell] was fantastic [Against Spurs]. It was unbelievable. He had a great match. He was sure and outstanding".

I remain unenthused at the prospect of Alberto Moreno being replaced by a 19-year old with only 4 senior appearances to his name, but if Liverpool had signed Chilwell for £6m-£8m, then the bulk of the fee will would've been covered by the sales of Jordan Rossiter, Jordon Ibe, and Jerome Sinclair, which would've made it basically risk-free.

That said, if Chilwell is so 'unbelievable', why is he still yet to make his league debut for Leicester? It's three games into the new league season, and the young defender - who is 20 in a few months - is still (seemingly) not trusted by Claudio Ranieri.




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