Jürgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta disagree on best plan as Liverpool makes João Palhinha ‘decision’

When it comes to transfer strategy, Jürgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta are obviously at odds, as evidenced by Liverpool’s call for João Palhinha.

Less than two weeks remain until the start of the January transfer window, but in the interim, Liverpool’s transfer target list is largely overshadowed by rumors about players the club will not be signing. The possibility that the ideal player will be available has already been downplayed by Jürgen Klopp.

The number six spot will undoubtedly be one of the main points of emphasis for supporters. Since Fabinho left in the summer, Klopp’s main choice in that position has been Alexis Mac Allister, who the manager himself claims isn’t a “natural-born six” (via This is Anfield). But João Palhinha of Fulham apparently won’t be the big-money specialist the Reds sign next month.

Journalist David Lynch revealed earlier this month for This is Anfield that Palhinha was ‘outside the usual age range of signings’ under FSG at 28, and that Fulham is probably going to demand a fee in the neighborhood of $89 million (£70 million/€81 million). Liverpool didn’t intend to pursue Palhinha in January. ‘Liverpool is definitely not in the race’ for Palhinha this winter, according to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany on Monday, confirming this.

The Portuguese, a proven Premier League performer who was named Fulham’s Player of the Season the previous season, would essentially be a “win-now” signing. At 28, this would be more of a move aimed at the team’s near- or at most medium-term prospects than the kind of long-term deal FSG usually prefers to get the most money out of.

When it comes to accepting that ‘win-now’ mentality, Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have demonstrated a higher level of willingness than Klopp and FSG. The Gunners attempted to sign 21-year-old Moisés Caicedo last year, but Brighton rejected their $89 million bid (via Sky Sports). They also had hopes of signing 22-year-old Mykhailo Mudryk, but Shakhtar Donetsk left the team after dissatisfied with the terms of their $110 million (£86 million/€100 million) package, ultimately joining Chelsea (via The Athletic).

Arsenal shifted course after failing to achieve its main objectives. In the end, agreements were reached for Jorginho, 31, of London rival Chelsea (for $15 million/£12 million/€14 million) and Leandro Trossard, 28, of Brighton (for approximately $36 million/£28 million/€32 million), who were both obvious replacements for Caicedo and Mudryk, respectively.

Liverpool has decided it won’t be signing João Palhinha from Fulham (Image: Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images)

These were obviously players for the present, not for the future. The moves for a European champion (at club and international level) and a Belgium star who had impressed for Brighton over a number of years were motivated by the Gunners’ desire to make the biggest short-term impact possible during a Premier League title battle with Manchester City at the time.

Even though Arsenal ultimately lost out on the championship, it’s difficult to claim that either signing was a mistake. Jorginho has proven to be a valuable squad member, starting 20 games across all competitions in his first year, while Trossard has been a terrific addition to the attacking rotation, scoring or setting up 19 goals in 42 appearances.

As a result, Arteta will feel vindicated following early inquiries about the signings—especially Jorginho—and it remains to be seen if he looks to carry out similar business this winter as the Gunners attempt to hold onto first place. However, even though Klopp and FSG did look to 30-year-old Wataru Endō as a temporary fix for their holding midfield shortage last summer, it appears that they may reaffirm their traditional values in 2024. Time will tell if that turns out to be a wise decision.