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Piotr Zielinski says that Liverpool “wanted him badly” but he has no regrets about joining Napoli instead this summer.

The Poland international has revealed that he first held talks with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp back in January over a potential move to Anfield.

His parent club Udinese were prepared to sell him and the midfielder agonised over his future but ultimately couldn’t bring himself to cut short his loan spell with Empoli.

“There were days when I was walking out of home, looked into my mobile and I didn’t know what to do,” Zielinski told Poland’s Przeglad Sportowy.

“I spoke a lot with Konrad Golos and Tomasz Dawidowski – my managers from the agency representing me.

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

(Image: Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Liverpool renewed their pursuit of Zielinski prior to Euro 2016 this summer. They had a £11.75million bid rejected by Udinese as Napoli and Milan also battled for his signature.

After a long saga, the Reds finally admitted defeat after being unable to agree a deal with the Serie A outfit. Zielinksi moved to Napoli for around £13million last month.

“I really wanted to start the preparations for the new season with a new team as soon as possible,” he added.

“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.

“I think it is ideal in terms of my football characteristics. I’ve met plenty of technical players.

"I found myself in Napoli and I feel more confident day by day.“