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Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva’s move to Galatasaray was blocked by Jurgen Klopp , it has been claimed.

An agent used by the Turkish side during negotiations has also suggested Lucas was keen on the transfer before the intervention of the Reds boss.

Galatasaray sporting director Levent Nazifolgu has previously been quoted as saying the transfer collapsed when Liverpool pulled the plug

And football agent Metin Korkmaz, who was employed by Galatasaray as an intermediary to help push through the deal, says Klopp was responsible for the decision.

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“Klopp was behind the transfer hitting the rocks, he wants Lucas to stay and the player had to listen,” he said.

“If it was up to Lucas he would have made the transfer.”

Klopp is believed to be concerned by both Liverpool’s defensive midfield options and the lack of cover at centre-back, with Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez injured and new signing Joel Matip not fully fit.

Lucas, out of contract at the end of the season, was close to joining Besiktas 12 months ago only for an injury to Jordan Henderson to prompt then Reds manager Brendan Rodgers to stop the deal going through.