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'I met with Jurgen Klopp': Liverpool transfer target confirms talks before snubbing move
PIOTR ZIELINSKI has confirmed he held talks with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp before eventually joining Napoli in the summer.
Piotr Zielinski - 5 things you need to know
The Poland international was one of Klopp's main targets as he looked to strengthen his midfield.
But the Reds were unable to agree a fee with Udinese despite Zielinski's hopes of a move to Anfield.
However Zielinski has now revealed the extent of his turmoil after receiving the offer from Liverpool and meeting Klopp.
"There were days when I was walking out of home, looked into my mobile and I didn’t know what to do," he told Polish outlet Przeglad Sportowy.
"I spoke a lot with Konrad Golos and Tomasz Dawidowski – my managers from the agency representing me.
"Everyone said: ‘Great offer, Klopp wants you, it’s a fairytale in terms of finances’. All fine, but I wasn’t convinced.
Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski
"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.
"My head was a mess. Liverpool finally got a plane and I met with Jurgen Klopp. He said he wanted me in his team. I saw a different world and after returning my head was even a bigger mess.
"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."
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