Barcelona and Liverpool were keen on signing Piotr Zielinski in the summer transfer window before he joined Inter Milan.
As quoted by Italian outlet Inter Live, four clubs, including Barcelona and Liverpool, were keen on signing former Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski in the summer transfer window before he completed the Bosman move to Inter Milan.
The Polish international midfielder has revealed that Atletico Madrid and Juventus were keen on signing him apart from Liverpool and Barcelona. However, he wanted to continue in Serie A, which means he ended up signing for Inter Milan.
Zielinski said, “At least four or five other teams wanted me . There were other big names after me, such as Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona . The Catalans had made specific requests . But I’m happy in Italy, ever since I arrived at Napoli I knew I wanted to continue my career here . I’m happy here and I would have been happy even if I had renewed with the Neapolitans”.
The Polish international has been one of the best midfielders in Italian football since his stint with Napoli, and he would have been a quality acquisition for Barcelona and Liverpool. He would have added creativity and technical ability in the middle of the park. The Pole has been linked with a move to Liverpool in the past as well.
Liverpool and Barcelona could have done with Zielinski
Liverpool could certainly use more quality and depth in the middle of the park, and it will be interesting to see if they decide to move for a central midfielder when the transfer window reopens in January. The Polish international would have been a quality acquisition for a reasonable amount of money, and Liverpool will be disappointed to miss out on him for the second time.
The 30-year-old joined Inter Milan in July on a free transfer, and he could have been a major bargain for the Premier League club if they had managed to get the deal done. Similarly, Barcelona are in need of quality central midfielders as well.
The Blaugrana is going through financial difficulties, and they will be desperate to snap up bargains in the transfer market. The Polish international would have been an exceptional acquisition for them.
Meanwhile, a move to Juventus would have allowed the player to continue in Italian football as well, but he chose to join Inter Milan instead. Juventus have been struggling in recent seasons, while Inter Milan won the Serie A title last season. They are in a better position to compete for major trophies and perhaps, that played a key role in the midfielder’s decision to join them.