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Jurgen Klopp has blocked Galatasaray's bid to sign Lucas from Liverpool.

Gala felt they had a deal in place to sign Lucas, who is Liverpool's longest-serving player, and were waiting for him to give them his decision.

But Klopp has vetoed the Brazilian midfielder's departure because he is worried it would have left him short because of his various injury concerns.

Gala's sporting director Levent Nazifoglu said: "We are no longer pursuing Lucas Leiva.

"We will continue efforts to sign alternative names instead."

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(Image: Action Images via Reuters / Carl Recine) (Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC)

Marko Grujic has been brought in and plays a similar position to Lucas, while the German also has Emre Can, Jordan Henderson and James Milner at his disposal.

But with Milner and Grujic doubtful for the opener with Arsenal, Klopp has pulled the plug on the deal.

The Brazilian midfielder almost moved to Turkey a year ago and was set to join Besiktas on loan before former boss Brendan Rodgers pulled the plug on the deal because of an injury crisis.