Klopp frets over Saudi transfer window amid European exodus

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on Tuesday urged football authorities to address the late closure of the transfer window in the Saudi Arabia league, fearing it may have a detrimental effect on European clubs.

Speaking in Singapore on the eve of his team’s pre-season friendly against German champions Bayern Munich, Klopp voiced his concern while reacting to the news that former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane has joined the Saudi side Al Nassr.

Saudi side Al Nassr announced the signing of Bayern Munich striker Sadio mane on Tuesday.

The Senegalese international is the latest high profile player to join the Saudi league and will link up with five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo.

Since the start of the year, clubs in the kingdom have spent generously to sign some of the world’s leading players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante.

Brazilian midfielder Fabinho on Monday became the third Liverpool player to move to a Saudi club in this close season when he joined Al Ittihad in a £40 million ($51 million) deal, hot on the heels of Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino.

Klopp appears concerned that the closure of the Saudi transfer window on September 20, three weeks after it shuts in Europe, could impact clubs who would be unable to sign suitable replacements.

“The influence of Saudi Arabia? We will see. I don’t know. At the moment it looks like they have quite an influence, it is massive,” said the German.

“I think that pretty much the worst thing is that the transfer window in Saudi Arabia is open for three weeks longer. If I am right, I heard something like that. Then, at least in Europe, that’s not helpful. So UEFA and FIFA must find solutions for that.

“But in the end, I don’t know at this moment exactly what will happen. It is already influential, for us, for sure. We will have to learn to deal with it, but that’s what we do,” he added.

“That’s pretty much all I can say about it, time will show.”

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel said he shared a hug with Mane and is saddened the Senegal forward couldn’t tap his full potential in Germany .

Mane left the German champion after a single season that was marred by injury and a lack of goals. After Tuchel took over in March, he was often a bench player.

“It was kind of sad. We had a long hug but we had both a smile on our faces and we assured ourselves to keep the good relationship. It’s not personal from his side. I can totally understand that he feels hurt. I feel also not happy if things like this happen,” Tuchel said in Singapore during Bayern’s pre-season tour.

“We didn’t bring it to the full potential, which is my job also and my responsibility. So it’s always kind of a sad moment but in this particular situation it was the best solution to untie the knot.”

German broadcaster Sky Sport reported Monday that Mane had said it was painful to leave Bayern and that he believed he was still useful to the team.

Tuchel said he was surprised by the “gold rush” unleashed by Saudi Arabia’s clubs over the last year and compared it to similarly lavish spending in the Chinese league in the 2010s, something which has since eased up.

“We’re experiencing the next league who tries to become more popular, more famous, who tries to build a brand, and they convince a lot of players, a lot of quality players and even coaches,” Tuchel said.

“So a completely new situation and a bit too early for me to have a clear opinion. I’m an observer, a surprised observer.”

Agencies