Dinamo Zagbreb midfielder Ante Coric has reportedly turned down the opportunity to move to Premier League side Liverpool. The player has claimed that he was only a medical away from joining the Reds.
According to British media outlet Yahoo Sport (h/t Bleacher Report), Ante Coric is not interested in moving away from the club this summer as he wants to continue playing in the Champions League for Dinamo Zagreb.
“I am happy such big clubs want me, but I want to play with my favourite team in the Champions League.
“It was up to me to decide (to join Liverpool), all I needed to do was a medical. But I want to stay at Dinamo, where I can give a lot more,” said the Croatian midfielder.
Earlier, Liverpool and Manchester City were in a two-way tussle for Coric. According to the IB Times, Jurgen Klopp’s side had emerged as favourites to sign the player as City reportedly dropped their interest in the player.
Despite having a bid accepted from the Citizens, the deal fell through due to further complications, making Liverpool the clear favourites to sign him. But it now seems that Klopp will have missed out on yet another transfer target this summer.
The Sunday People reports that Coric pulled out of the deal after he learned that City were going to send him on a season-long loan after signing him, without giving him a chance to compete for first team football.
Klopp is known to be a huge fan of the attacking midfielder and has been watching him since the end of last season. The Reds have already completed seven deals this summer and are on the look-out for another if a deal comes up on the horizon.
After Liverpool’s sorry start to the season, they are in dire need of reinforcements. Despite having plenty of quality among their ranks, it seems that the Reds lack the cutting edge needed to get over the line.
Now, with only three days left in the transfer window, Klopp will have to act quickly if he is to bolster his squad for a competitive season that beholds him and his team.
