Jurgen Klopp rules out moves for Gareth Bale and Philippe Coutinho this summer

Add as preferred source on Google

Jurgen Klopp has ruled out a big-money swoop for either Philippe Coutinho or Gareth Bale this summer, citing financial concerns.

It has been a slow summer for the Reds, but they have been linked throughout with a swoop for former star Coutinho, while Gareth Bale’s availability led former Liverpool midfielder Paul Ince to urge (BBC) Klopp to swoop.

Speaking to ESPN, Klopp said of Coutinho: “Coutinho helps each team in the world. I like Phil, I think he’s a fantastic footballer but it would be a big, big, big, big, big, big, big, big-money signing and it’s not our year for that.”

And to Sky Sports, he stated on Bale: “He is an outstanding player, I like him a lot but it is not about him. You have to create a team. Bale is a Real Madrid player and if he leaves it will be outstandingly expensive and big wages.”

Of course it’s possible that this is a smokescreen from Klopp but all the noises coming out of Anfield this summer have been that they won’t break the bank.

It would be an enormous surprise if they did swoop for either of the La Liga outcasts, risking the balance and morale of the squad by bringing in a player for huge money and bumper wages.

But it might not be a bad idea to invest in a younger, versatile forward to offer cover, especially in the early part of the season when all of the first choice front three have been involved in summer competitions.