€35m Liverpool target reveals he turned down PL transfer amid Arsenal links to join European giants
Napoli midfielder Jesper Lindstrom has revealed why he turned down a move to Premier League giants Liverpool during the summer transfer window.
Liverpool ended up splashing out around £150m during the summer transfer window to sign four new midfielders, with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch for sizable fees.
They were linked with loads of midfielders in the summer as it was common knowledge that they were in the market for several new recruits in that area of the pitch.
Lindstrom was one player they were linked with and it was claimed at the end of July that they were battling Arsenal in the race to sign him from Eintracht Frankfurt.
The attacking midfielder impressed for Frankfurt last season as he grabbed nine goals and four assists in his 38 appearances across all competitions.
The Denmark international ended up sealing a move to Serie A champions Napoli, who paid €30m plus €5m in potential add-ons to snatch him from Frankfurt.
Lindstrom has now claimed that it would not have been an “intelligent move” if he joined Liverpool in the summer as he is “at an age now” where he must “play football”.
“It was Liverpool and I am a Liverpool supporter, so it would’ve been a madly fascinating experience, but would it have been an intelligent move?” Lindstrom told the Danish outlet Tipsbladet.
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“If I don’t play, then I may as well sit in front of the TV and watch them play there while I am at a different club. I am at an age now where I have to play football.
“This is why I think Napoli represent a good change. It is one of the best clubs in the world and they said I will have many opportunities to play.”
He added: “It is not possible to walk the streets of the city and this is also why many of the players live on the outskirts. You can’t go for a walk, you have to cover yourself up, because otherwise they attack you for selfies.
“I knew it would be like this, as there is only one club in Naples, everyone here grew up supporting Napoli and it is all extreme. I can’t just go out for coffee. It’s different, but an amusing experience.”
Liverpool’s midfield rebuild is now likely completed. Moving forward, it is believed that the club’s hierarchy will turn their attention to improving their defence amid reports linking them with Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio.
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