Liverpool’s buy-back clause for Jordon Ibe looks set to become useless

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When Liverpool sold Jordon Ibe to Bournemouth in 2016 it was something of a shock. The youngster still looked like a potential first-team player in the making and Liverpool were under no pressure to sell. 

In fact, in April 2016, Jurgen Klopp spoke highly of Ibe following rumours of a rift between himself and the winger, as reported by The Guardian.

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“I heard from somewhere that Jordon has some problems with me or something?. 

“Only a few young players can come up and sometimes they are in the squad, sometimes not.

“He’s still a brilliant, big talent which is very good for English football.”

Despite those words, Liverpool sold Ibe to Bournemouth in a £15 million club record deal for the Cherries just two months later, as reported by The Telegraph.

But Liverpool had not entirely given up on the deal.

As detailed by the Liverpool Echo, the Reds included a buy-back clause in the transfer of Ibe and Australian left-back Brad Smith to Dean Court. 

Klopp described it, at the time, as the ‘perfect’ deal, suggesting the fee involved (which remains undisclosed) to bring Ibe back to Anfield was affordable. 

“We will watch them, they will have pressure there, they will fight for the league or whatever, and we will see them growing up in pressure situations. That’s perfect...

“…Now Smith and Ibe are there and we have buy-back clauses. Hopefully they do really well and then in the end we and them will decide.

“The goodbyes were okay with both of them. Liverpool is still in their hearts so we will have a chance if they do well.”

But now it appears that Liverpool will no longer have that buy-back option going forward, as Bournemouth are set to let Ibe leave in the summer.

It comes amid some off-field controversy surrounding Ibe, who has struggled to find his best form since leaving Anfield nearly four years ago. 

Of course, Liverpool could sign Ibe on a free transfer now, but considering his current career trajectory, that seems unlikely. 

Klopp and Liverpool will no doubt be disappointed. The idea must have been that Ibe would relish his move to Bournemouth and grow into a player worthy of bringing back to Merseyside. 

But as Liverpool have gone from strength to strength since 2016, Ibe’s career has stalled in disappointing fashion.

Luckily, the 24-year-old is still young and can hopefully turn his career around with his next move.