Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp ‘wanted’ by Barcelona to replace Ronald Koeman - could it really happen?

Jurgen Klopp is Barcelona president Joan Laporta's first choice to succeed Ronald Koeman in the Nou Camp hot seat, according to reports.

Catalan-based newspaper El Nacional claim the Liverpool boss is on a three-man shortlist to take over at Barcelona.

Barca background

Koeman is under intense pressure at the Spanish giants. After finishing third in La Liga last season, some seven points behind champions Atletico Madrid, Barcelona have made a lacklustre start to this term.

They were thrashed 3-0 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week and needed a late Ronald Araujo goal to draw 1-1 at home to Granada on Sunday.

It's said that Laporta has held emergency talks with the Nou Camp board about Koeman's position.

Three-man shortlist

Klopp is apparently Laporta's top candidate to help turn around Barca's fortunes.

The five-time European Cup winners have been embroiled in financial troubles, leading to Lionel Messi's exit to Paris Saint-Germain during the summer.

Klopp's done an exceptional job at Liverpool since taking charge in October 2015. He's made the Reds a European force once again, winning the Champions League in 2019 and ending the 30-year wait for a top-flight title a year later.

Along with Klopp, Barcelona legend Xavi - currently manager of Qatari side Al-Sadd - and Ajax chief Erik ten Hag make up the three-man shortlist.

Ten Hag has supposedly been recommended by Manchester City supremo and former Barca boss Pep Guardiola.

Could Klopp really leave for Barca ?

Klopp is tied down to the summer of 2024 at Anfield.

It means Barcelona would have to pay a substantial compensation fee if they were to prise him away to Spain. Given their financial situation, that might not be possible.

In addition, the German has previously said that he wants to return to a "normal life" after his Liverpool contract comes to a conclusion. He’s talked about having a year out of management.

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