The Reds boss concedes that prices are on the rise in an inflated market, but insists he will never look to challenge a world record €222 million fee
Jurgen Klopp has vowed never to spend the kind of money at Liverpool that would see him rival Paris Saint-Germain’s record-breaking €222 million (£199m/$254m) deal for Neymar.
The Reds boss has just taken in a summer of elaborate spending, with a £75 million ($96m) move in January for Virgil van Dijk complemented by further big-money deals for Naby Keita, Fabinho, Alisson and Xherdan Shaqiri.
Klopp had been critical of such outlays in the past, but now appreciates that a modern marketplace dictates that sizeable investment is required in order to remain competitive.
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He will, however, not be tempted into making history with his transfer dealings, with Liverpool and owners Fenway Sports Group not in a position to compete with the likes of PSG and Manchester City.
Quizzed by Kicker on whether he would ever consider doing a Neymar-esque deal, Klopp said: “No chance, no chance, no chance.
“We are not owned by a state like is the case at two big clubs. We have our limits. We have a conservative leadership.”
Klopp did break one record in the latest window, as he landed Brazil international goalkeeper Alisson for £65m ($83m) from Roma.
That deal was quickly topped by Chelsea’s £72m ($92m) move for Kepa Arrizabalaga, with Klopp conceding that asking prices have risen across the board in the wake of remarkable deals done in 2017.
He added: “It feels like €100m back then is €500m today. When Neymar joined PSG for €222m, I shook myself.
“Back then I had an opinion, but an incredible amount has happened since.
“In 2017, Neymar joined Paris, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele joined Barcelona for a lot of money, and Kylian Mbappe [joined] Paris.
“This opened the whole thing, the money in the market. Now, if Liverpool wants a player, the other clubs want a bit of the cake too. That’s the story.
“And you must also keep in mind that players like Mo Salah, Sadio Mane or Robert Firmino, players we bought for €30m to €40m, have a different value on the transfer market these days. That’s part of the business.”