Sadio Mane has cost Liverpool the chance to sign Jeremy Doku for less than what was agreed between Rennes and rival Manchester City.
Doku is currently one of Europe's most exciting young talents and has attracted interest from several big clubs, including Tottenham, City, West Ham, and Liverpool.
A graduate of Anderlecht's academy, he is currently proving his talent at Ligue 1 side Rennes. He joined the French side in 2020 after scoring six goals in 29 league games last season.
However, the deal could prove to be a blow to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who reportedly had the chance to pay the winger far less than what Manchester City would have paid him as a 15-year-old.
The winger had obtained permission from his former club, Anderlecht, to travel from Belgium to Merseyside to
Had Doku decided to join Liverpool, he might have taken over
According to The Mirror, Klopp was keen to bring the winger to the club and is ready to pay Anderlecht £500,000 in compensation. In an effort to convince Doku to join Liverpool, the German introduced him to the club's best players and believes Liverpool is the right team for him.
The winger said, "I was approaching my 16th birthday, old enough to sign a professional contract." "A lot of teams came to see me. Liverpool had the biggest interest, but also Arsenal and Chelsea." “I went to Liverpool with my father and mother, and they took me around the stadium, the training ground, and even the school I was going to attend.
Jeremy Doku
I also met the players. "I was able to talk to Jürgen and Gerrard and watch some videos and he talked
According to Doku, he spoke with Mane but made little effort to persuade him to join the Reds; rather, Mane told him that he should continue his development in the Belgian professional league.
"I talked a lot with Mane, but he didn't talk much about football," the Belgian continued. "He said I was young and I had time. He didn't want to persuade me or say, 'Come here, you'll make it.'" "So I decided to be cautious," he added. "I knew what my trajectory
I knew what route I needed to take and I knew at that moment I needed to stay at Anderlecht.' Interestingly, it may have worked out pretty well for the young star, who, at the age of 21, has already won 14 caps for the Belgian senior side and made his debut for Anderlecht at the age of 16.
Former Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has also spoken very highly of the winger in the past, lauding him as an 'exceptional talent.' Doku later moved from Anderlecht to Rennes on a deal worth around £22.5 million, and it appears he may have no regrets
'As soon as I'm asked if I regret not joining Liverpool,' Doku added, 'I always say no, because if Liverpool like me, they'll come back later, that's certain.
It's up to me to play well.' It