Like many big clubs around Europe, Liverpool have scouts searching the continent, and beyond, for young talent.
Given there’s often a lot of interest in such players, and that clubs usually identify the same ones, the Reds often miss out. It’s not always down to money, and quite often down to the way a youngster and his family see the next few years and potential progress.
A couple of years ago Liverpool identified Christian Koffi, who was set to leave the AS Monaco youth system. The Reds were so keen that they presented an offer to the youngster and a plan for his future development.
Fiorentina did the same, and it was the Italian club who won the signing race, seemingly being more convincing than whoever was negotiating on behalf of Liverpool.
Koffi explained: “There are lots of things that come into play. But when I was presented with the two contracts and the two sporting aspects, the choice of Fio was the best. Italy was really a championship where I didn’t want to go initially, because it was a little bit contrary to my football. But after talking about it with my family, I realised that Italy was going to bring me a lot. And I was not mistaken.”
Clearly happy with his choice, Koffi will now want to move through the system at Fiorentina, and maybe one day he can catch the eye of Liverpool again.
