Mystery suitors revealed as Jurgen Klopp plays hardball over Liverpool flop’s summer departure

Liverpool have reportedly rejected an opening bid by RB Leipzig for Fabio Carvalho but may be open to a permanent deal if a buy-back clause is included.

The 20-year-old jumped to the attention of Premier League clubs with a standout season for Fulham in the Championship. His superb displays and ten goals helped the Cottagers gain promotion by winning the 2021-2022 Championship title. The Reds pounced and paid just £5m to take him to Anfield last summer.

Much was expected of the talented youngster and he certainly hit the ground running on Merseyside.

The Portuguese-born starlet saw plenty of game time early in the campaign. He scored his first goal when the north-west giants put nine past Southampton on August 27.

However, Carvalho failed to push on and enjoyed only four starts among 13 top-flight appearances in 2022-2023.

He notched three goals in total, the last coming in a 3-2 EFL Cup loss to Manchester City back in December.

Having arrived to much fanfare but with little to show over the next ten months, a summer exit seems inevitable.

And Klopp recently admitted that there was a ‘possibility’ that the winger could be loaned out next season.

The German tactician also went out of his way to praise the Portugal Under-21 ace’s ‘work ethic’.

And it seems as though Liverpool do not want to lose him on a permanent basis.

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There have been reports of several loan offers being submitted, with Premier League new boys Burnley thought to be keen.

However, it is said that the player does not want to spend next season on loan in the English top flight.

Foreign move likely for Carvalho

There is still plenty of time for Carvalho to prove his worth at the top level. Klopp was impressed enough to take him to Anfield after he added eight assists to his ten Fulham goals.

Things maybe did not work out as planned but he remains a talented individual. There were reports of a permanent bid from a German club.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that RB Leipzig have submitted an offer.

But it seems as though there will be no business done unless the Bundesliga outfit compromise on their terms.

“RB Leipzig had opening bid for Fabio Carvalho turned down by Liverpool, as Reds don’t want the player to leave on permanent deal,” he tweeted.

“Liverpool could be open to a buy back option clause into the deal, as revealed yesterday; clubs will discuss that soon.”

It remains to be seen if Die Roten Bullen are willing to play ball on that particular deal.

It might mean losing a player who they have helped develop into a world-class star when he is at the top of his game.

Whatever happens, it seems inevitable that Carvalho will be heading out of Anfield this summer.

With an instant rejection of the opening bid, Liverpool have set their stall out and could well be waiting for a loan offer from overseas.

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