---
title: "Klopp prepared to launch £34.7m hijack of powerful Everton and Chelsea target"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/klopp-prepared-to-launch-34-7m-hijack-of-powerful-everton-and-chelsea-target/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Jonny Gorrie"
section: "Chelsea Football Club"
published: "2017-01-12T14:00:50Z"
modified: "2017-01-12T14:00:50Z"
---

# Klopp prepared to launch £34.7m hijack of powerful Everton and Chelsea target

**It’s been a rather long night indeed for the Liverpool fans in the Transfer Tavern discussing exactly what went wrong with their side’s loss to Southampton in the first-leg of their EFL Cup semi-final at St. Mary’s.**

With the Reds having meekly surrendered the opening portion of the tie to a Saints outfit in no sort of form, many of our Merseyside locals believe the root of their problems came from an inability to force themselves behind enemy lines.

Amid a vast array of intricate technicians, the absence of the wonderfully direct Sadio Mane (currently on AFCON duty with Senegal) was a notable one, with no one ever truly threatening to simply run at a dogged backline.

So imagine the delight amongst the Kop faithful propping up the bar after they cast their eyes over reports emanating out of Italy.

According to *[Corriere Dello Spor](https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/calcio-mercato/2017/01/11-19824382/da_aubameyang_a_kessie_unafrica_ricca_di_stelle/)t,* Jurgen Klopp is a big fan of Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie following the marauding Ivorian’s exploits in Serie A. The 20-year-old has proved a revelation for *La Dea,* somehow managing to notch an impressive seven goals from a defensive midfield berth so far this term.

As a result of his form in Italy, the powerful Ivorian has been [strongly linked](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/28/franck-kessie-chelsea-bid-rejected) with a move to Chelsea, while Merseyside rivals Everton are another [understood](https://gianlucadimarzio.com/en/atalanta-evertons-bid-for-kessie-is-rejected-the-details) to retain an interest.

Still, according to this [report](https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/calcio-mercato/2017/01/11-19824382/da_aubameyang_a_kessie_unafrica_ricca_di_stelle/), Klopp is [prepared](https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/calcio-mercato/2017/01/11-19824382/da_aubameyang_a_kessie_unafrica_ricca_di_stelle/) to pay up to [€40m](https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/calcio-mercato/2017/01/11-19824382/da_aubameyang_a_kessie_unafrica_ricca_di_stelle/) (around £34.7m) to land his man and [could](https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/calcio-mercato/2017/01/11-19824382/da_aubameyang_a_kessie_unafrica_ricca_di_stelle/) ask the board for backing on this front.

As popular as Jordan Henderson is amongst our drinkers, the skipper isn’t really a natural holding midfielder and, after watching Kessie compilations on YouTube, believe the African starlet is the man they need.

**Is this an area Liverpool need to strengthen? Let us know below…**