Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski reveals efforts Liverpool went to try and lure him to Anfield

Napoli midfielder Piotr Zieliński knew that Liverpool "wants him badly" but is unsure why negotiations with the Premier League side and former club Udinese broke down.

Zieliński, 22, joined Napoli during the summer transfer window despite Jürgen Klopp personally reaching out to the Poland international during his first season in charge at Anfield to try and convince him to join his side.

At one point, Napoli appeared resigned to missing out on the player, with their club president Aurelio de Laurentiis admitting the midfielder favoured a move to Merseyside. Things grew complicated, however, when Udinese rejecting an offer from Liverpool, according to BBC Sport.

Zieliński could have a made the move to Liverpool during the January transfer window, however, after Udinese accepted an offer, but couldn't bring himself to cut short a loan spell at Empoli.

Speaking to Przegląd Sportowy, Zieliński explained the January offer. "Everyone said: 'Great offer, Klopp wants you, it's a fairytale in terms of finances'. All fine, but I wasn't convinced.

"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 Jürgen Klopp. He said he wanted me in his team. I saw a different world and after returning my head was even a bigger mess."

By the time the summer transfer window came around, Napoli were also keen on the player. AC Milan were also interested, but at the time, they were unable to finance the move having failed to find a buyer for Colombia striker Carlos Bacca, who was then linked with a move to West Ham United.

"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.

"Milan's offer was dependent on the club's takeover by Chinese investors. With Napoli, I knew the coach and lots of the lads from the team. I'm happy I came here."