Samuel Umtiti ‘rejected Liverpool move’ in January forcing Jurgen Klopp to chase other targets to solve defensive crisis
SAMUEL UMTITI rejected a move to Liverpool in January forcing Jurgen Klopp to chase other targets, reports say.
The Premier League champions were desperate for defensive reinforcements in the winter window.
According to The Athletic, Liverpool made an approach for Umtiti, but the Frenchman preferred to stay at Barcelona.
Umtiti made just 18 appearances last season due to injury problems.
This campaign he has already been ruled out for 15 matches with a knee problem, playing just seven times.
But it is understood the centre-back wants to remain at the Nou Camp and fight for his place as he turned down Liverpool.
Klopp was in the market for additions at the back with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez still out injured.
Joel Matip briefly returned, but picked up an ankle knock which forced him out of Liverpool’s 3-1 win at West Ham.
Midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have both been forced to cover at centre-back.
Liverpool turned to Ben Davis in a shock £2million deal with Preston, before then making a move for Ozan Kabak from Schalke.
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They signed Kabak on loan with the option to make the deal permanent for £26.5million in the summer.
The Bundesliga strugglers acted quickly to secure a replacement from the Premier League.
Arsenal outcast Shkodran Mustafi has joined his former team-mate Emirates Sead Kolasinac in Germany.