Liverpool desire to keep canny Klopp signing being sorely tested as crack Bundesliga outfit prepares second bid

RB Leipzig are reportedly determined to try and sign Liverpool midfielder Fabio Carvalho on a permanent transfer, despite the fact that the Reds have already rejected their initial offer for a deal.

The Portugal Under-21 international scored three times in 21 games on Merseyside last season, having signed from Fulham in a £7.7million deal last summer in a move that considered a real coup at the time.

There has been plenty of talk that Carvalho could leave Anfield in a loan deal ahead of the new campaign, with Premier League rivals West Ham, Burnley and Brentford all keen on striking a deal.

However, German side Leipzig want to go one further and sign the 20-year-old on a permanent transfer.

Marco Rose’s side initially submitted a permanent offer to buy Carvalho as they tried to get their business done early.

However, the Reds declined that offer and revealed they are open to a loan instead. But now BILD in Germany states that Leipzig are not giving up on sealing a permanent move for Carvalho.

The report adds that Leipzig are confident that by giving the player more minutes he will be convinced to stay beyond an initial year-long loan – if that is what they have to agree to.

The two clubs have a good relationship after previous transfer dealings and Leipzig are confident that can help them get their man.

Carvalho impressed at the start of his Liverpool career and scored his first goal in a record-breaking 9-0 victory over Bournemouth, before netting the winner as they secured a dramatic late win against Newcastle.

However, he dropped behind Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott in the midfield pecking order as his game time reduced significantly after the World Cup.

Indeed, his last start for the Reds was in the FA Cup win over Wolves all the way back in January.

Klopp hints at Carvalho exit

And, when speaking about Carvalho‘s future ahead of the final game of the season against Southampton, Klopp admitted that a loan exit was a distinct possibility.

“There’s a possibility that he will go on loan, we’ll see,” Klopp said. “This was not Fabio’s best year in his career but it might have been his most important. No player has impressed me more than Fabio. It is true.

“This very talented boy came here with big dreams and big expectations. It was okay in the beginning but didn’t work out (later in the season). His work ethic will give him a fantastic career.

“He trained and got nothing (in terms of team selection). His reactions in a row, I never saw before.”

Leipzig are now expected to chance their arm with a second offer for the player. However, if that fails they are almost certain to try and agree a loan with an offer to buy as their next best-case scenario.

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