Jurgen Klopp fears Premier League stars could be sold to Saudi clubs after the transfer window shuts

The Sun
 
Jurgen Klopp fears Premier League stars could be sold to Saudi clubs after the transfer window shuts

JURGEN KLOPP has demanded protection from a “massive” Saudi threat.

The Liverpool boss fears European clubs will be plundered AFTER their transfers windows shut on September 1 because the mega-spending Gulf state can still buy players until September 20.

Klopp said: “Pretty much the worst thing is that the transfer window in Saudi Arabia is open for three weeks longer.

“At least in Europe, that’s not helpful.

“So Uefa and Fifa must find solutions for that.

“It looks like Saudi Arabia have quite an influence, it is massive.”

Saudi clubs could cause havoc by triggering release clauses for stars, leaving European clubs unable to replace them.

Klopp’s midfield revamp has already suffered a major setback after losing skipper Jordan Henderson to Al-Etiffaq for £12million and Fabinho to Al-Ittihad for £40m.

Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino joined Al-Ahli after his deal at Anfield expired.

He also had to fend off a £43m raid by Al-Hilal for Colombian forward Luis Diaz.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola warned on Saturday about the “threat” of Prem clubs losing their top stars after he has saw Riyad Mahrez leave the club in favour of Al-Ahli.

And Klopp, 56, added: “It is already influential, for us, for sure.”

Meanwhile, the German rubbished suggestions of PSG’s Kylian Mbappe rocking up at Anfield.

He said: “We laugh about it —  there’s nothing to it.”