Liverpool transfer news: Jurgen Klopp had Thomas Lemar swap deal with Monaco planned
LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp was planning a swap deal in a bid to convince Monaco into selling Thomas Lemar last summer, reports claim.
Liverpool were repeatedly linked with a move for Lemar after his exploits for Monaco last season.
The France international was in devastating form, scoring 14 goals as his side dethroned PSG as Ligue 1 champions.
However, Lemar’s form has dipped this season and Express Sport understands Liverpool are focusing on alternative targets instead.
And the Liverpool Echo has now dived into how close the wing wizard came to moving to Anfield a year ago.
It is said that, last summer, Liverpool were determined to snap him up.
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The Reds, along with Arsenal, were frontrunners in the race to sign Lemar with Manchester United and Barcelona watching from afar.
Monaco, however, were always clear that it would take a bid of around £100million to tempt them into selling.
The Liverpool Echo say that, in a bid to get around that, Klopp was willing to include Divock Origi.
But Monaco stayed true to their word and, consequently, Liverpool decided to abandon their pursuit, loaning Origi to Wolfsburg instead.
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Lemar also came close to joining Arsenal.
The 22-year-old was subject of a £90m bid after the Gunners were convinced Alexis Sanchez would join Manchester City.
However, Lemar ultimately chose to stay at Monaco for one more year.
And, having managed to find the net just three times, Liverpool now look set to look elsewhere.