Agent Metin Korkmaz has revealed Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva wanted to leave the Reds for Galatasaray this summer but manager Jurgen Klopp stopped the deal from going ahead.
Korkmaz acted as an intermediary between Galatasaray and the Brazilian during the deal and he was quoted by the Liverpool Echo as saying:
“Klopp was behind the transfer hitting the rocks, he wants Lucas to stay and the player had to listen. If it was up to Lucas he would have made the transfer.”
Lucas is currently injured himself, and did not participate in Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Arsenal at the weekend, but it is believed that Jurgen Klopp is concerned by the lack of options in both central midfield and central defence. Currently Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez are out of action with Achilles injuries but Joel Matip has returned to full fitness.
With Emre Can and Kevin Stewart also both fully fit, Lucas’s game time could be limited despite Klopp’s insistence that he needs to stay in order to provide cover. It is likely however that the Brazilian is looking for a regular starting place and that would be the reason behind his desire to leave the club where he has spent nine years.
