Jurgen Klopp wrecked £19m Everton deal as ex-Liverpool target comes clean on summer move

Jurgen Klopp wrecked £19m Everton deal as ex-Liverpool target comes clean on summer move

Johan Bakayoko has revealed the impact Jurgen Klopp had on his decision to join RB Leipzig this summer, as the ex-Liverpool boss convinced the winger to snub Everton

Johan Bakayoko was told to snub Everton by a former city rival (Image: Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp continues to torment Everton even after leaving Liverpool, after he persuaded one of their transfer targets to join RB Leipzig instead. The ex-Reds manager, who spent nine seasons at Anfield, now serves as Red Bull's head of global football and works across the sporting network to identify and recruit players for their various teams.

‌

One such star secured by Klopp is Johan Bakayoko, who has moved to Leipzig from PSV Eindhoven in a transfer worth around £19million. The Belgian international attracted interest from several clubs last year following his impressive performances, making 47 appearances and scoring 12 goals.

‌

The 22-year-old also boasts an impressive trophy cabinet, having won two Eredivisie championships, two Dutch Cups and two Dutch Super Cups in just four seasons as a professional. This remarkable record caught the eye of numerous European sides, including Everton and Nottingham Forest - and even Liverpool earlier in 2024.

‌

However, Bakayoko told the media this week that it was a discussion with former Liverpool boss Klopp that persuaded him to reject the Toffees for a switch to Germany.

"The impression he left with me was that this was the right project for me," Bakayoko said. "He said they'd make me better and they needed me.

"But the most funny part of it was we didn't even talk about him wanting me to come. It was really about football and what vision I have on football.

Article continues below

Johan Bakayoko snubbed the Toffees for Germany, under the guidance of Klopp (Image: Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images)

"And that was how I was thinking, like, 'OK, so there's a person who's not even pushing me, but just wants to talk to me.' Like even if you go to some other clubs, then it's like, 'You have to do this to adapt better.'".

"[But with Klopp] it was just a free talk where he wanted to see how I am as a person. So I was thinking, 'OK, if someone like this talks to you in these kind of ways, and he wants to build a project and he wants you to be part of it, but isn't pushing you to be part of it, then it gives you the freedom to express yourself.' And that's everything I need. That made me believe it was the right step."

‌

David Moyes will hardly be thrilled with Klopp's meddling, given that Bakayoko was among the three players the Toffees had targeted to boost their team for this season. Manchester City ace Jack Grealish became Everton's sixth summer signing following his season-long loan agreement.

The Three Lions star hopefully won't be the last arrival at Hill Dickinson Stadium this summer in Moyes' eyes, with the Scottish manager eyeing additional reinforcements across the squad.

Jack Grealish will hopefully not be the last bit of business Everton does this summer (Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

‌

With one target now heading off to Germany following encouragement from former rival Klopp, Everton supporters will be crossing their fingers that the Scotsman has some surprises in store.

The Toffees suffered defeat in their opening Premier League game of the season on Monday, going down 1-0 against Leeds United following a controversial penalty awarded against James Tarkowski for handball.

Moyes was left fuming by the referee's choice to give the spot-kick, which was calmly converted by Leeds debutant Lukas Nmecha. Following the match, the Everton manager said: "Look, Leeds were better than us on the night. But the goal is completely wrong. Really harsh.

‌

David Moyes is aiming for more transfers this summer (Image: Darren Staples / AFP)

"It's difficult to lose on that. I've been in and spoke to the referee and they seem to think because you lean, your arm goes away. But you are allowed to lean in football. Tarky would have had to get his arm chopped off."

With Everton welcoming Brighton this Sunday afternoon, Moyes will be hoping the club can finalise additional signings soon - especially in the forward areas, where he admitted his side struggled on Monday evening.

Article continues below

On transfers, Moyes added: "The attacking players, we are desperate to get more quality. But let's be fair, it's something I think I've been saying for a while that I'm having to try and find ways of getting that better."

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Click here to read article