Major transfer blow for Liverpool as World Cup star chooses to sign for another club despite Klopp 'meeting'

Liverpool transfer target Sofyan Amrabat is reportedly set to decide against a move to Anfield if another club places an acceptable bid for his services, despite a meeting said to involve Reds boss Jurgen Klopp.

Amrabat starred at the World Cup with Morocco, helping his nation to reach the semi-finals with landmark victories over Belgium, Spain and Portugal.

The 24-year-old Fiorentina midfielder was named in the Team of the Tournament for his performances - catching the attention of Europe's major clubs in the process.

One of those clubs was Liverpool, with Klopp looking to add a midfielder to his squad in 2023.

And the Reds were handed a boost last month when French outlet Foot Mercato claimed that Amrabat wanted to 'explore the Premier League', with Liverpool and Tottenham said to be amongst those keeping tabs on the player at that time.

Interest in the midfielder from the Reds appeared to have cooled since then, although fresh reports claim that Klopp held a meeting with the player's agents, only for him to decide on another club.

Amrabat wants move in January

Foot Mercato now say that Amrabat has chosen to join Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in January, after talking 'at length' to his entourage.

It is claimed that Atletico 'tick all the boxes' for the midfielder to continue his progress. However, the two clubs will need to come to an agreement, with Fiorentina unlikely to sell Amrabat to Spain if clubs from the Premier League make a higher offer.

In addition, the same source alleges that Liverpool boss Klopp held a meeting with the player's agent to convince him to move to Anfield, but Amrabat preferred a move elsewhere.

The Morocco international's contract at Fiorentina was set to expire in 2024, but Italian outlet Il Correire Fiorentino (via Football Italia) claimed that the club would activate their year's extension clause to ensure it would expire in 2025.

Either way, Fiorentina are under no immediate pressure to sell - meaning it may take a large fee to convince them to part ways with one of their star assets.