Jurgen Klopp’s secretive conversation with Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes earlier this week sparked plenty of transfer speculation, and the contents of the chat have now been revealed.
The two were spotted talking after Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Sporting in America, in which the 24-year-old Portugal international netted the opener.
Fernandes scored 20 and assisted 13 goals in 33 Primeira Liga games for Sporting last season which has unsurprisingly caught the eye of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
He’s been heavily scouted by Premier League rivals Manchester United – favourites for his signature – for months but Liverpool are also said to be interested in bringing him to Anfield.
Portuguese outlet O Jogo claim, as cited by the Mirror, they know what Klopp said to Fernandes following full-time, and it mainly involves high praise.
Good game. You’ve been good. Congratulations for the great game. You’re a top player.
Speaking to the media after the game, Klopp was once again full of praise for the Sporting captain and admitted he’ll make Man United stronger if he moves to Old Trafford this summer.
If he [joins Manchester United] then we will face him. He’s obviously a really good player. They have already a few really good players, so that will probably make them stronger.
There’s no doubting whether he’d strengthen Klopp’s midfield options and he could pose as the Philippe Coutinho replacement Liverpool never signed, but there is certainly interest from elsewhere.
