Bakayoko had two-hour talk with former Liverpool boss ahead of RB Leipzig move | OneFootball

As per Voetbal International, Johan Bakayoko had a two-hour conversation with Jürgen Klopp in the lead-up to his decision to join RB Leipzig.

The German former Liverpool boss is currently Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull and impressed the Belgian, who joined from PSV this summer. RB Leipzig paid around 20 million euros to lure Bakayoko to Eindhoven.

The 22-year-old Belgian was presented to the eastern German club on Friday. He told the press that he had spoken with Klopp for two hours leading up to his decision. “That was the first time I saw him and spoke to him. It was special for me,” Bakayoko said, as reported by Kicker.

“Especially because he didn’t really say, “You have to come here or you have to do this.” No, it was really about football and my ambitions and how he saw me. That was crucial for me, because you could see he had a very clear vision. He also showed me that he really wanted to build something great, and that’s why I wanted to be there. He spoke openly.”

Bakayoko received a warm welcome at RB Leipzig. The fact that three compatriots, Loïs Openda, Arthur Vermeeren, and Maarten Vandevoordt, are under contract also helps. He will also meet former PSV teammate Xavi Simons. That said, it remains to be seen whether he will stay.

Simons is of particular interest to Chelsea. “We had good chemistry on and off the pitch,” said Bakayoko, who declined to discuss a possible departure for Simons. “You’ll have to ask him that question yourself, because I don’t know anything about it.”

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield