Klopp still following 2016 Liverpool midfield target ‘with great attention’ – Now faces unwanted PL competition

There was a time when Piotr Zielinski was a hair’s breadth away from signing for Liverpool back in 2016.

Then at Udinese, on loan at FC Empoli, the player seemed destined to end up at Anfield only for Napoli to scupper everything.

Spending £15m or so on the Poland international, the Serie A side have helped him develop in a great all-round midfielder, whom Liverpool haven’t forgotten about and who has now caught the eye of Manchester City.

That’s according to Radio Kiss Kiss, who reported, relayed by Area Napoli, that both Jürgen Klopp’s and Pep Guardiola’s sides have been following Zielinski ‘with great attention’ alongside Barcelona.

It’s then added that ‘it cannot be excluded’ that ‘true and real talks could be born in the coming months’.

As things stand, Aurelio De Laurentiis has ‘no intention to sell one of his best players’, but it’s added that ‘during Covid times, a lot will depend on the offers’.

They end by explaining that ‘should big numbers be put on the table, it’s clear a valuation will be made’.

A second chance for Liverpool, perhaps, and a brand new one for Manchester City.