Niklas Sule was a reported transfer target for Liverpool.
Liverpool have been dealt a blow, with summer transfer target Niklas Sule declaring his intent to stay with Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, as reported by German newspaper BILD.
The Red’s interest in the German was reported by the same newspaper in March, but the 20-year-old has dashed any hopes Jürgen Klopp had of bringing him to Anfield in an exclusive interview with BILD.
“Here I have my usual environment, the proximity to my family in Frankfurt,” he said. “To develop myself, I need playing time and a coach who trusts me. I have that in Julian Nagelsmann. He knows me well and knows where and how he can make me better.”
Liverpool fans will be expecting a busy transfer window
Klopp will now have to switch his attention to other defensive targets, as Liverpool will be left short in that department following the release of Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel looking to be heading for the Anfield exit door.
Jurgen Klopp reportedly wanted to bring Niklas Sule to Anfield this summer
Sule would have been the perfect addition for Liverpool. Standing at 6 ft 5 in, he cuts an imposing figure and would have been a more youthful upgrade on what they already have.
At the age of 20, Sule has already made 78 appearences for Hoffenheim, and he now looks set to continue his development with the Bundesliga club.
It will be a season defining transfer window for Liverpool, as they look to vastly improve the squad that only managed an eighth-placed finish in last season’s Premier League.
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