Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp 'blocked Lucas Leiva's move to Galatasaray'

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp blocked Lucas Leiva's transfer to Galatasaray, according to an agent hired by the Turkish club to negotiate the deal.

The Brazilian, who is in the final year of his contract at Anfield, was targeted by Galatasaray last month.

Football agent Metin Korkmaz has claimed that Lucas was keen on sealing the transfer, but Klopp prevented it from going ahead as he wants to keep hold of the midfielder.

"Klopp was behind the transfer hitting the rocks, he wants Lucas to stay and the player had to listen," the Liverpool Echo quotes Korkmaz as saying. "If it was up to Lucas he would have made the transfer."

The 29-year-old has been a Liverpool player for nine years.