27 Aug 2016

Contact Made: Liverpool submit €15m offer for 'unbelievable' record-breaking attacker. Agent confirms deal is unlikely

Earlier this year, Sport1.de claimed that Jurgen Klopp will 'pull out all the stops' to sign BVB starlet Christian Pulisic, and new reports this week suggest that Klopp has now taken the first concrete step towards signing the coveted attacker.

In April, the Daily Mail:

"Klopp has instructed his scouts to monitor Pulisic...and Klopp has put Pulisic on Liverpool’s long-term radar, viewing him as one of the premier talents in Europe".

According to ESPN on Friday:

"Liverpool have offered €15m for Christian Pulisic. Stoke have [already] bid €20m, with Leipzig and Stuttgart also linked".

When asked this week about Pulisic's future, the 17-year old's father (and Agent) told reporters:

"Christian has no interest in leaving the club. He had a good half year last season, and wants to continue to break through."

Klopp brought Pulisic into Dortmund's first-team squad during the 2014-15 season, and after watching him in training, he enthused:

"He did a good job. He can kick the ball around really well. And in a very intense training session with narrow spaces, he did not stand out in a negative way. That is a real sign of quality."

Talk about being damned by faint praise. Some info about Pulisic.

* 12 goals/assists in 14 games for BVB's U19s. 11 goals/assists in 8 games for the U17s. 12 apps for Dortmund's senior team (2 goals/assists).

* Youngest-ever player to appear in a World Cup qualifier for the US national team.

* Jan 2015: U.S. U17 manager Richie Williams raved: ""When [he's] playing that No. 10 position, Pulisic isn't scared, he's willing to take anybody on and he's super competitive".

* Mar 2016: Ex-BVB Coach David Wagner's view: "I spoke with Jurgen Klinsmann a year ago about Christian's unbelievable quality for his age. He's one of the biggest talents I've seen."

This is typical Klopp. The team needs full-backs, and a defensive midfielder, but Liverpool's manager is seemingly focused on bringing in yet another number-10.

What difference is a 17-year old with comparatively minimal experience going to make for Liverpool this season, and why would Dortmund accept €15m when another club has (allegedly) offered €20m?

In my view, it'll be a massive mistake for Pulisic to swap Dortmund for Anfield. Where's the fire? Just stay and develop alongside great players like Reus, Aubameyang et al. It's madness to leave such a great *Champions League* club at the age of 17.

Author: Jaimie K


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