Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp 'blocks Lucas Leiva's move to Galatasaray'

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is reportedly blocking midfielder Lucas Leiva's move to Galatasaray. The Brazilian does not appear to have a long-term future at Anfield, but the Reds are determined to sign some defensive reinforcements before they allow Lucas to leave.

Lucas has played more than 200 games for the club since he signed for them in 2007. Last season, he was deployed as a central defender by Klopp, but it appears his days at Liverpool are numbered.

The 29-year-old has been heavily linked with a switch to Galatasaray in Turkey. And while Liverpool are willing to sell the player for the right price, they are unwilling to allow him to leave before signing a replacement, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Liverpool currently have a shortage at centre-back, with Mamadou Sakho, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are all expected to miss the start of the new season. Lucas could fill that role during the opening weeks of the campaign, having featured in that role during pre-season.

Liverpool have made seven new additions this summer, but Klopp is delighted they have been able to retain their key performers. "We've kept all of our key players and gave a few of our big talents the opportunity to play somewhere else because of the education they had at Liverpool," he recently said.

"We want to be a club in the future for sure whose players don't want to leave. That's very important. But it will only be possible with success and the atmosphere we create in and around the club."