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Jurgen Klopp continues to show his loyalty to Liverpool after his departure from Anfield, having convinced one of Everton's transfer targets to join RB Leipzig instead.
The former Reds boss, who spent nine Premier League campaigns at Anfield, now operates as Red Bull's head of global soccer and works throughout the sporting network to spot and sign players for their various clubs.
One such talent secured by Klopp is Johan Bakayoko, who has switched to Leipzig from PSV Eindhoven in a deal valued at approximately £19 million ($25.6 million). The Belgian international drew attention from several clubs last year after his outstanding displays, featuring in 47 matches and netting 12 goals.
The 22-year-old also possesses an exceptional trophy collection, having claimed two Dutch league titles, two Dutch Cups, and two Dutch Super Cups in merely four seasons as a professional.
This remarkable achievement captured the attention of numerous European outfits, including Everton and Nottingham Forest, and even Liverpool earlier in 2024.
Nevertheless, Bakayoko revealed to the media this week that it was a conversation with former Liverpool manager Klopp that convinced him to snub the Toffees for a move to Germany.
"The impression he left with me was that this was the right project for me," Bakayoko said. "He said they'd make me better and they needed me.
"But the most funny part of it was we didn't even talk about him wanting me to come. It was really about football and what vision I have on football.
"And that was how I was thinking, like, 'OK, so there's a person who's not even pushing me, but just wants to talk to me.' Like even if you go to some other clubs, then it's like, 'You have to do this to adapt better.'
"[But with Klopp] it was just a free talk where he wanted to see how I am as a person. So I was thinking, 'OK, if someone like this talks to you in these kind of ways, and he wants to build a project and he wants you to be part of it, but isn't pushing you to be part of it, then it gives you the freedom to express yourself.'
"And that's everything I need. That made me believe it was the right step."
David Moyes will hardly be thrilled with Klopp's meddling, given that Bakayoko was among the three players the Toffees had targeted to boost their team for this season. Manchester City ace Jack Grealish became Everton's sixth summer signing following his season-long loan agreement.
The Three Lions star hopefully won't be the last arrival at Hill Dickinson Stadium this summer in Moyes' eyes, with the Scottish manager eyeing additional reinforcements across the squad.
With one target now heading off to Germany following encouragement from former rival Klopp, Everton supporters will be crossing their fingers that the Scotsman has some surprises in store.
The Toffees suffered defeat in their opening Premier League game of the season on Monday, going down 1-0 against Leeds United following a controversial penalty awarded against James Tarkowski for handball.
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