Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has moved to explain why they decided against pursuing their interest in Timo Werner.
The RB Leipzig striker is admired at Anfield and Liverpool were believed to be his most likely destination, before the news broke last week that Chelsea were set to sign the Germany international.
Standard Sport understands that Chelsea hope to complete a deal for the 24-year-old this week, with Werner set to sign a long-term deal worth around £9million-a-year.
Werner has a buy-out clause of £53m, and Klopp insists that – in the current financial climate brought about by the coronavirus pandemic – he could not morally sanction such a deal.
"All clubs are losing money," Klopp told Sky Germany. "How do I discuss with the players about things like salary waivers and on the other hand buy a player for £50-60m — we’d have to explain.
"If you want to take it seriously and run a normal business you depend on income.
"And we have no idea how much the club will earn — especially because we don’t know when we can start playing in front of spectators again.
"At the moment, without spectators, we have to pay back on season tickets and probably sell none next year. At least maybe the first 10 or 15 games. VIP areas won’t be packed and tickets won’t be sold."
