Piotr Zielinski Reflects on Liverpool Transfer Close Call

Piotr Zielinski, now with Inter Milan, revealed that he was close to joining Liverpool in 2016 while at Udinese, after being invited to Jurgen Klopp's home for discussions. Klopp praised Zielinski, comparing him to Ilkay Gundogan and Cesc Fabregas, during a meeting facilitated by a private jet sent by Liverpool. Despite the personal charm offensive, the transfer fell through as Udinese demanded a fee higher than Liverpool's offer of €18.5 million. Zielinski had previously turned down opportunities from major clubs like Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal, preferring to stay in Italy. He eventually joined Napoli, where he achieved significant success, including a league title, before moving to Inter Milan. The midfielder's story highlights Klopp's keen eye for talent, even if the deal did not materialize.