Zielinski confirms Liverpool transfer talks with Jurgen Klopp

Piotr Zielinski was subject to aggressive links with a move to Anfield Stadium at some point during Jurgen Klopp’s reins at Liverpool. While much of the Kop would be aware of the closeness of the transfer, we have been given the intricacies of the transfer by the Polish midfielder himself.

The midfielder did confirm contacts with the Reds over a possible transfer while he was pictured donning Liverpool’s crest, and all along the Premier League heavyweights failed with bids of £9.5 million and £12 million. With Udinese rejecting the aforementioned advances, he ultimately ended up at Napoli, who snapped his signatures in a deal worth €16 million.

And after eight years at the Napes-based club, the Pole moved on to Inter Milan in the recently concluded summer transfer window.

Zielinski reveals Liverpool transfer talks

Zielinski confirms Liverpool transfer talks with Jurgen Klopp. — Would Zielinski have been a success at Liverpool?

Now, Zielinski has opened up in detail about how his move to the Merseyside Reds came close and never concluded, which involves personal talks with Jurgen Klopp after the midfielder flew to meet the German gaffer in a private jet. He also went on to suggest how Klopp planned to use him at Anfield Stadium.

In a recent conversation with Foot Truck, a Polish YouTube channel, Piotr Zielinski said:

“Klopp told me that for him I am a mix between [Cesc] Fabregas and [Ilkay] Gundogan. I didn’t understand anything, but then my agent, who spoke German, told me everything. When we were leaving I managed to take a photo with Klopp who was at the door and said goodbye.”

“They were offering €18.5 million, but Udinese wanted something more. However, Liverpool couldn’t cross a certain limit with me because I wasn’t a top player yet. The other side of the coin is that I didn’t feel like one either.”

It is surprising to see how the Udinese accepted an offer less than that of Liverpool’s bid from Napoli. Moreover, Liverpool alternatively went on to sign Gini Wijnaldum in a £25 million deal from Newcastle United. This is one of the failed transfers that could have worked if it happened and worked out well for all parties given that it didn’t.