Liverpool transfer off: European giants' sporting director confirms deal won't happen

GALATASARAY have given up trying to sign Lucas Leiva from Liverpool, the club's sporting director has announced.

By Jonathan Green                    

PURSUING ALTERNATIVES: Galatasaray have given up on Lucas

The Turkish giants had been keen on a deal for the Brazilian, whose future is at Anfield is uncertain.

Yesterday Levent Nazifoglu claimed the 29-year-old had asked for an additional 24 hours to decide on whether he would make the move to the Turk Telekom Arena.

And it appears he has decided to stay on Merseyside for now with Nazifoglu claiming Galatasaray were now pursuing other targets.

He told Turkish Football: “We are no longer pursuing Lucas Leiva, we will continue efforts to sign alternative names instead."

Lucas is Liverpool's longest-serving player having joined the club from Gremio in 2007.

He is in the final 12 months of his contract at Anfield and faces a stiff battle for playing time this season in the centre of midfield.

 

The arrivals of Marko Grujic and Gini Wijnaldum have added to the competition for places along with Emre Can, Jordan Henderson and James Milner.

However, last week the Liverpool Echo reported that Jurgen Klopp was unwilling to let Lucas leave until the club's defensive injury problems had eased as he sees the Brazilian as an emergency centre-back option.

Galatasaray could now step up their interest in Manchester United's Bastian Schweinsteiger who has been told he can leave Old Trafford.