A Mexico international winger has claimed they came close to joining Liverpool in the summer, but the prospective transfer never materialised.
The Merseyside club endured a relatively quiet summer in the market as their new head coach Arne Slot got to grips with the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp.
The Dutchman only brought in two players, both late in the window, with only one of the signings joining the Reds this summer.
Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili signed from Valencia in a deal worth up to £33million but will link up with the Reds next summer, while attacker Federico Chiesa joined from Juventus in a cut-price deal worth £12.5m.
However, reports have come to light that the Reds nearly bolstered their attack further, with an international star admitting he had his bags packed in anticipation of the move.
Arne Slot reportedly came close to signing an international winger in the transfer window
Federico Chiesa (left) and Giorgi Mamardashvili (right) were Liverpool’s only signings this summer
Mexico left winger Cesar Huerta, who plays for Pumas UNAM, was close to a permanent move to Liverpool, according to broadcaster TUDN.
The outlet has suggested that the 23-year-old would have been loaned out to Championship side Sunderland if he made the move.
Following his country’s 0-0 draw with Canada on Tuesday, Huerta addressed the speculation over his failed transfer.
‘There was an issue,’ Huerta told Spanish outlet AS. ‘I had my suitcase ready, but it fell through because of an issue.
‘I know that sooner or later if I keep doing things right, I’ll get the opportunity. I know it’s a train that only comes once and I’m focused on Pumas.’
Reports have claimed that the proposed deal was torpedoed by Regis Le Bris, the Sunderland manager.
Huerta’s hopes of a move to Anfield look to be in tatters and UNAM president Luis Raul Gonzalez Perez has explained where everything went wrong.
‘It had nothing to do with the club or his intention,’ said Perez. ‘On the contrary, they recognised the qualities of Huerta.
Cesar Huerta claims he had his ‘suitcase ready’ before a move to the Reds fell through
Huerta revealed how close the deal came to being completed after Mexico’s draw with Canada
‘External circumstances of the teams themselves meant it could not materialise. I repeat, not because of the quality of Huerta, but because of external circumstances.’
Huerta has only one year left on his deal at Pumas, with his contract at the Mexican side set to expire in June 2025.
The winger has 29 goal involvements, including 17 goals, in 76 appearances for the club, since his arrival from Chivas in the summer of 2022.