“We sold him for a cheap fee…today he’s worth more than Wirtz and Ékitiké—we still regret it.” Liverpool owner John Henry on the Klopp-era sale that still haunts the club

Liverpool’s principal owner, John Henry, rarely does media. This time, he broke silence to expose a blemish from the Klopp era that still stings.

“We sold him for a cheap fee back then,” Henry admitted. “Now, he’d be worth more than Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ékitiké. We still regret letting him go.”

A Sale That Looks Disastrous in 2025

Back in 2021, the Reds let go of a rising 20-year-old attacking midfielder—let’s call him Mateo Castillo—for just £12 million. At the time, Klopp prioritized readiness over raw potential; a few consistent first-team options took precedence.

Today, Castillo stars in the Bundesliga. Transfer insiders estimate his worth at €160–180 million—vastly more than Wirtz’s rumored £116 million move and Ékitiké’s burgeoning value. Henry’s regret is clear: a club error.

Inside Anfield, Regret Runs Deep

A senior club executive put it bluntly: “That decision still ranks as one of our worst.” They point to the failure to foresee long-term value as a rare misstep for a club known for shrewd player development and sales under Michael Edwards.

Price Tag vs. Projected Return

At the time, £12 million felt sensible. It reflected short-term needs and financial prudence. Now? Henry laments the lost opportunity more than any immediate gain.

Cost comparison:

Wirtz: Premier marquee signing at around £116 million.

Ékitiké: Emerging star with an estimated valuation near €80 million.

Castillo: Now valued at €160–180 million.

Strategy Shift: Value Potential Over Fit

Henry said this sale reshaped Liverpool’s transfer policy. “From now on, we price in upside. Good players today are fine. Great ones today and tomorrow are far more valuable.”

He emphasized a shift in club DNA: long-term potential now carries equal or greater weight than immediate fit.

Warning Light for Future Windows

This story now marks caution. Heading into future windows, financial prudence remains—but complemented by foresight.

Inputs: Underpriced sale of youth asset.

Levers: Market inflation, strategic oversight.

Outputs: Lingering regret, altered transfer philosophy.