Piotr Zielinski reveals reasons that prevented a switch to Liverpool this summer.
– Poland’s Piotr Zielinski and Ukraine’s Taras Stepanenko in action
Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski has revealed Liverpool’s extended attempts to lure him to Anfield this summer, saying that Reds manager Jurgen Klopp ‘wanted me badly’, according to a report in IBTimes, citing Przegląd Sportowy.
The Poland international made the switch to Napoli from Udinese this summer after being strongly linked with a move to the Reds, with negotiations between the two clubs said to have been at an advanced stage.
Liverpool appeared to be the favourites to secure his services at one point, but had an offer rejected by Udinese despite club president Aurelio de Laurentiis claiming Zielinski favoured a move to Merseyside.
Zielinski allegedly had the chance to join the Reds back in January, but chose to continue a loan spell at Empoli.
Ukraine’s Olexandr Kucher and Poland’s Piotr Zielinski in action
The 22-year-old has explained his reasons why a transfer to the Premier League failed to materialise, owing it to his incapability to cut short the loan spell which would have cleared a path for a move to Liverpool during the winter transfer window.
“Everyone said: ‘Great offer, Klopp wants you, it’s a fairytale in terms of finances’. All fine, but I wasn’t convinced,” he told Polish publication Przegląd Sportowy.
“I was driving my car and I said to my girlfriend: ‘No, red light, I’m not leaving’. I felt great in Empoli, I didn’t want to leave the lads when we were battling for the European places.
Speaking on Liverpool’s advances this summer, Zielinski continued: “I really wanted to start the preparations for the new season with a new team as soon as possible.
“I knew that Liverpool wanted me badly and I knew they would return to the talks as I got that promise in January. It didn’t work out for them with Udinese at the end.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp
“My head was a mess. Liverpool finally got a plane and I met with Jürgen Klopp. He said he wanted me in his team. I saw a different world and after returning my head was even a bigger mess.
“With Napoli, I knew the coach and lots of the lads from the team. I’m happy I came here.”
Whether Liverpool live to rue missing out on Zielinski, who has 17 caps for Poland, remains to be seen.
But an encouraging start to the Premier League season for the Reds, along with a strength in depth in the middle of the park, does not currently suggest a regret in missing out on their protracted summer transfer target.
– Poland’s Piotr Zielinski and Ukraine’s Taras Stepanenko in action
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