JURGEN KLOPP has again proved that getting up close and personal with transfer targets like new boy Fabinho pays dividends.
The Liverpool boss has found that it is good to talk, even if that means he may not always stick to the letter of the law when it comes to bringing in big signings.
Managers, or for that matter club officials, are not officially supposed to approach players they want to buy while they are still under contract elsewhere.
Which was what Klopp did 11 months ago, when he first went in for Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk — and why the South Coast side reported Liverpool to the Premier League.
The Reds quickly apologised and ended their interest and, in the end, had to wait another seven months to get the centre-back. His £75million price tag, around £15m more than the initial bid, was a reflection of how Saints held a grudge.
The St Mary’s club complained that Van Dijk was flown to Blackpool for talks with Klopp as Liverpool tried to persuade him his future should be at the club.
And after their unauthorised meeting, Klopp then messaged the player regularly.
Yet Monday night’s £44m capture Fabinho revealed that he, too, had talked to Klopp in the weeks before he left Monaco.
Just as the manager had also done with Mo Salah when he was still at Roma.
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Just as Canal Plus in France are reporting that he is currently doing with £60m-rated Lyon playmaker Nabil Fekir, another player on Klopp’s hitlist this summer.
Fabinho, 24, who will officially move to Anfield on July 1, became a late target of Arsenal just before his Merseyside deal was done.
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He was also on the radar of both Manchester clubs, Italians Juventus and Chelsea.
But he said on French media outlet RMC Sport how a meeting with Klopp helped convince him to turn down “real choices” elsewhere.
Fabinho, explaining he had been in talks with Liverpool for “three or four weeks”, said: “I spoke with people from the club, with the coach, which gave me a lot of confidence. I wanted to go to a club that really wanted me, which showed great interest.
“With all that, it was easy to say yes. I thought a little and told my agent that he could continue the transaction.”
Salah, heading to Spain today for treatment on his injured shoulder, was also understood to have had conversations with Klopp before his switch from Serie A last June.
Reports emerged yesterday that Fekir, 24, is being sweet-talked by Klopp, with negotiations continuing on a deal that would also see his brother and Lyon reserves striker Yassin, 21, join Liverpool’s Under-23 squad.
Chelsea also want highly-talented French international Fekir.
But, while he insists no decision will be taken on his future until after the World Cup finals, there is every indication that Klopp’s powers of persuasion will triumph.
Reds boss Klopp must also deal with his goalkeeping situation, with Loris Karius’ Anfield future looking bleak following his Champions League final howlers last weekend.
Liverpool are ready to pounce for Roma’s Alisson and the Brazil No 1 is bound to talk to his international team-mates Roberto Firmino and Fabinho when they travel to Anfield for Sunday’s friendly against Croatia.
Klopp’s predecessor Brendan Rodgers complained that players were often forced on him by a transfer committee which now comprises Mike Gordon, Michael Edwards, Dave Fallows and chief scout Barry Hunter.
But when Klopp arrived, he insisted he would always have the final word on any major target.
Not only does he appear to have been granted that wish, having a word in the ear of those he wants — as he continues his re-invention of Liverpool — also seems to be a crucial part of his transfer market modus operandi.
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