Liverpool drop out of race for ‘next Neymar’ due to ‘unfair competition’

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Young Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus was apparently one of the players on Jurgen Klopp’s transfer list this summer, but we’ve dropped out of the race for his signature due to his inflated price-tag and “unfair competition” from a number of other clubs, according to UOL Esporte (via the Daily Star).

The 19-year-old is one of the most highly rated young strikers in South America at the moment, and has consequently been linked with the likes of Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid (via the Star). He’s even been labeled the “next Neymar”, so it’s hardly surprising that his name comes with a premium attached.

The Liverpool board apparently feel we’re up against “unfair competition” for his signature though (via the Star), as we’d be forced to play £12.6m more than any of the other clubs showing an interest.

As the report suggests, Gabriel Jesus has a clause in his current Palmeiras contract which states that he would be available to one of the aforementioned clubs for just £18.9m. Our lack of European football apparently puts us at a disadvantage though, and if we wanted to sign the teenager we’d be forced to pay his full £31.5m release clause.

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This is an astronomical amount for a 19-year-old, regardless of which world class superstar he’s apparently set to emulate. There’s no telling how he’d adapt to the English top flight, and we could be left with an expensive flop. Even £18.9m is a lot for a relatively unproven youngster, so opting not to pursue him certainly seems like the right call.

On top of all that the player himself apparently has his heart set on following Neymar to Barcelona (via Sport), and we don’t want to be spending big on a player who would look to force his way out of the club as soon as he experiences success.

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