Did Jurgen Klopp Thwart Manchester United’s €80 Million January Swoop for a ‘Stunning’ Player?

The Premier League rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United isn’t just restricted to the football pitch; it extends to the transfer market too. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool has had a more promising start to the new season, currently outpacing Manchester United by five points and six places in the Premier League standings. A crucial element in Liverpool’s success has been their summer signing, Dominik Szoboszlai, who has taken the league by storm with his midfield prowess.

Szoboszlai’s arrival at Anfield came with a price tag of £60 million from RB Leipzig. His energetic and eye-catching performances have been pivotal in Liverpool’s early-season form. However, this acquisition may have inadvertently impacted one of his former teammates, Lois Openda.

Reports from Football Insider suggest that RB Leipzig will rebuff any January offers for striker Lois Openda, despite alleged interest from several English clubs, including Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal.

Openda, who arrived at Leipzig from Lens during the summer, has already made a name for himself by scoring five goals and providing two assists in just ten games. Leipzig invested an initial €43 million (£37 million) in Openda after witnessing his sensational debut season in Ligue 1, where he scored 21 goals in 38 appearances.

Notably, Leipzig saw several key players depart for the Premier League in the summer transfer window, including Szoboszlai, Josko Gvardiol, and Christopher Nkunku, who joined Manchester City and Chelsea. This has left the German club hesitant to further weaken their squad during the January window, particularly with a promising talent like Openda.

The player’s price tag may have also played a role in Manchester United’s reluctance to make a move. BILD journalist Christian Falk reported that Openda’s Leipzig contract is said to include a release clause exceeding €80 million (£69 million), but it becomes active only from the following year. Falk noted, “Leipzig are a little relaxed at the moment, as next summer there’s no active release clause for Lois Openda,” and that “clubs like Liverpool will be keeping an eye on him.”

The similarity in playing style between RB Leipzig and Liverpool adds to the intrigue, making Liverpool a potential suitor for Openda in the future. In Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool has already experienced a positive outcome with a former RB Leipzig player, suggesting they might be keen on exploring similar opportunities. The ramifications of one player’s move on the transfer market can be far-reaching, as Lois Openda’s future remains in the balance.