Liverpool reportedly rejected an opportunity to sign Borussia Monchengladbach and Germany midfielder Florian Neuhaus in a deal worth £21 million.
According to a report from the print edition of Sunday Mirror, as relayed by Rousing The Kop, Liverpool turned down an opportunity to sign Borussia Monchengladbach star Florian Neuhaus in the recently concluded summer transfer window.
Neuhaus has been with Gladbach since 2017 after signing from boyhood club 1860 Munich. After a year-long loan spell with Fortuna Dusseldorf, the 24-year-old has gradually developed into a key player for the Foals and, in the process, established himself as one of the most consistent performers in his position in Bundesliga.
To date, Neuhaus has made 120 appearances for Gladbach, scoring 16 goals and setting up 20 more. He has also been capped six times by the German national team, for whom he has scored two goals since making his debut in October last year. The midfielder’s progress for club and country saw him emerge as a transfer target for several clubs across Europe in the summer, with Liverpool among them.
Liverpool’s interest in Neuhaus stemmed from the fact that they had lost Georginio Wijnaldum to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window. The Netherlands international had been a key cog in Jurgen Klopp’s side for the past five years and his departure has left a major hole in the squad.
And, while Neuhaus had been touted to replace the Dutchman at Anfield, it has now emerged that Liverpool actually turned down the chance to sign him up this past summer. Indeed, as per the report, the Merseyside giants were offered the 24-year-old’s services for a reasonable transfer fee of just £21 million but opted to pass up on the opportunity.
Klopp decided not to bring in any midfielder into the roster this summer, with Ibrahima Konate being the only signing for Liverpool. Instead, the manager has decided to back his existing options to come good, with Naby Keita getting a prominent role so far this term while youngster Harvey Elliott has also been used in midfield in the past couple of matches and has done well.
However, with James Milner not getting any younger and the likes of Thiago and Jordan Henderson also having had fitness issues in the recent past, Liverpool might be forced into the market for a new midfielder next year. AC Milan’s Franck Kessie, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, has emerged as an option for the Reds.
