Klopp inadvertently assists Man Utd transfer after stopping Liverpool deal dead in its tracks

Liverpool have unwittingly pushed a Man Utd transfer closer to completion after Jurgen Klopp put his foot down on a move involving RB Leipzig, per reports.

All eyes are on who’ll be part of the midfield revamp at Anfield this summer. Alexis Mac Allister will be the first to arrive and the bargain final fee is just £35m.

However, bubbling under the surface is a series of potential exits beyond those who are leaving as free agents (James Milner, Naby Keita, Roberto Firmino).

Back-up goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher, seeks to become a regular starter and with Alisson Becker in situ, that can only be achieved by leaving Liverpool. If the Irishman departs, his replacement could be a player who spent six years at Old Trafford.

Elsewhere, Fabio Carvalho is in line to leave after enduring a frustrating first season on Merseyside.

The 20-year-old was restricted to just 640 minutes of action across all competitions. Varying outlets have since reported Carvalho can leave, though Liverpool will prioritise a loan and not an outright sale.

RB Leipzig were among the first to act, though the Bundesliga side favour a permanent move. Indeed, the Athletic report Leipzig saw a bid of around £10m rejected by the Reds.

Fabrizio Romano claimed Liverpool might be receptive to an outright sale if a buy-back clause is included. However, per the Athletic, Liverpool have put their foot down and it’s now loan or bust.

The report states Carvalho is ‘only available on loan’, adding ‘senior Anfield figures remain adamant that Carvalho isn’t available for a permanent transfer’.

With Leipzig’s efforts set to come to nothing, they may now be emboldened to push for their plan B who is seemingly Anthony Elanga of Man Utd.

Carvalho stance aids Man Utd transfer

Indeed, Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg recently reported Leipzig have held talks over signing Elanga, though as yet a move is not advanced.

With Carvalho off the table, the deal could now accelerate and Plettenberg declared Elanga “can leave” Man Utd this summer.

That tallies with the reporting from the Manchester Evening News who stated United have abandoned their initial loan plans in favour of selling the player outright.

Adding further fuel to the fire is the fact Elanga will cost a fee very similar to the amount Leipzig bid for Carvalho.

The MEN reported Elanga can leave for just £10m, while Plettenberg cited a slightly higher price range of €15m-€20m (approx. £12.9m-£17.2m).

Regarding what the future holds for Carvalho, the Athletic concluded a loan within the Premier League will be targeted.

Multiple EPL sides hold interest, though only one was named in the piece – Carvalho’s former club, Fulham.

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