17 Apr 2017

Next Coutinho? 'Breathtaking' £15m attacker confirms secret 'Liverpool' transfer talks; he met 'Steven Gerrard'

One of Jurgen Klopp's recent transfer targets has confirmed that he came close to signing for Liverpool.

In November, TalkSport claimed:

"Liverpool are interested in signing Marseille attacker Maxime Lopez [and] have sent scouts to watch him in action".

Soon after, ex-Marseille boss Jose Anigo confirmed:

"Maxime Lopez was about to sign for them [Liverpool] in 2014."

Well, this appears to be true. Speaking to Le 10 Sport over the weekend, Lopez confirmed:

"Liverpool came, they contacted me. I visited the facilities. They had made me meet Steven Gerrard. This was something exceptional. When I returned, for me I signed for Marseille because I wanted to flourish here."

Some info about €18m-rated Lopez:

* 19-year old attacking midfielder, who can also play on either wing. Nicknamed the 'New Nasri'.

* Marseille: 11 goals/assists in 36 apps. 3 goals/assists in 6 apps for Marseille's U19 team.

* Sep 2014: the Daily Mail claimed: "Liverpool invited Maxime Lopez to the Merseyside derby, and he met with Brendan Rodgers".

* Nov 2016: Marseille right-back Rod Fanni's assessment: "He [Lopez] has everything to become a great number 10. He will have to work physically because he has not a very imposing size, but he can do it".

* Mar 2017: Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane raved: "He [Lopez] has always had exceptional natural talent for his age. It's really breathtaking what he does".

The Reds are oversubscribed in the number-10 position, so losing out here is no big loss, but perhaps Lopez is one for the future...?



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