Liverpool transfer target ‘rejected Anfield move’ due to Barcelona ambitions

Samuel Umtiti turned down the chance to join Liverpool as he still aims to win back his place at Barcelona, according to reports in Spain.

The Reds were keen to bring Umtiti to Anfield after an injury to Joel Matip forced them to search for centre-back reinforcements late in the January window.

Liverpool eventually made their moves on deadline day and signed Ben Davies permanently from Preston North End and Ozan Kabak on loan from Schalke.

Jurgen Klopp may have been keen to add a more experienced option such as Umtiti, but the French World Cup winner has his heart set on fighting for his spot at Camp Nou.

That's according to Mundo Deportivo , which adds Umtiti was unmoved by the approaches of Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards.

Umtiti has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons and only returned to full fitness last month.

But the 27-year-old has started Barcelona's last three La Liga matches and has helped the Catalan giants extend their winning top-flight run to five games.

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Meanwhile, Liverpool's new boys Kabak and Davies may make their debuts as the Reds welcome Premier League-leaders Manchester City to Anfield on Sunday.

Davies was an unused substitute for the 1-0 defeat by Brighton on Thursday, while Kabak was not named in the matchday squad.

Klopp would ideally like his new recruits to have more time to adapt to life on Merseyside but he admits the pair are in contention to face City.

"In an ideal world, you have a few weeks and work together on defensive things, especially organisation and all these kind of things," Klopp told reporters on Friday.

"Ben and Ozan had yesterday an analysis meeting – and they trained – where they got shown all the stuff we do usually, like a centre-half movie.

"So today, proper session. Tomorrow, proper session and we will see. I don't know yet."

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