Jürgen Klopp urged FIFA to reconsider the closure of the Saudi transfer window three weeks after the European one, expressing concern that major European league competitions may lose more players without the ability to replace them. Klopp told reporters yesterday, the day before a friendly match against Bayern Munich in Singapore: "The impact of Saudi Arabia is significant right now. The worst thing I think is that the Saudi transfer window will last more than three additional weeks. This does not benefit European competitions." He affirmed, "UEFA and FIFA must find solutions for this. But in the end, at this moment, I do not know exactly what will happen. This issue is already affecting us, but we need to learn how to deal with it. The picture will become clearer over time."
Additionally, Klopp denied several reports suggesting that Liverpool is looking to sign Kylian Mbappé on loan for this season, as the French international wishes to leave Paris Saint-Germain due to a strained relationship with the club as he enters the final year of his contract. Speculations regarding Mbappé also linked him with a potential record transfer to Saudi Arabia, but media reports indicated that he rejected the idea of playing in the kingdom as he aims for a move to Real Madrid. Klopp stated to Sky: "We ridicule these speculations. Of course, Mbappé is a fantastic player, but the financial situation does not suit us at all. I do not want to spoil the story now, but as far as I know, there is nothing. It is possible that someone else from the club is preparing something and wants to surprise me. This hasn’t happened in the eight years I’ve been here. This would be the first time."
The transfer window in the Premier League ends on September 1, the deadline for most European leagues, but clubs in the Saudi Professional League can sign players until September 20. Liverpool has already seen three of its prominent players move to Saudi clubs, including captain Jordan Henderson and midfielder Fabinho, while forward Roberto Firmino left on a free transfer. Saudi Arabia showcased its financial power by attracting a number of top players from European clubs with generous contracts, including Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema and World Cup winner N'Golo Kanté.
