The Merseysiders moved on quickly from their Champions League final heartbreak by announcing the arrival of Fabinho from Monaco in a deal worth around £44m on Monday night, surprising much of the football world.
But while Liverpool’s deal appeared to come out of nowhere, Yahoo Sportreport that the club had been working on the transfer for weeks with Klopp even speaking to Fabinho.
Klopp sold Liverpool to Fabinho during a meeting, with the 24-year-old thrilled with what the German coach told him about his vision of the club and plans for the future.
Fabinho took an instant shine to the charismatic Klopp, and after the meeting he immediately told his representative to stop talks with all other interested clubs.
Jose Mourinho – who shares agent Jorge Mendes with Fabinho – was among the suitors and tried to sign Fabinho last summer, though Monaco were adamant they would not allow yet another key first-team player leave after such a mass exodus.
United have remained in the market for a new midfielder this summer, and look likely to sign Fabinho’s compatriot Fred who made the Selecao squad for the World Cup ahead of the former Monaco man.
Fabinho, who has scored 29 goals in his three seasons in Monaco despite being a holding midfielder, also spoke with fellow Brazilian Roberto Firmino about moving to Anfield.
‘We spoke a bit more about how the city was, about the infrastructure of the club, the city and we also spoke about the coaches and how they do their work,’ Fabinho told Liverpool’s website.
So I was able to know a bit more about Liverpool through Firmino. I had been with him at the Brazilian national team on a few occasions.
“I know he’s a fantastic person, his background is from nice people. He is also very good for someone who comes to a new country, a new city – someone who speaks the same language. This will of course make the adaptation much easier.’
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