Mexican winger Cesar Huerta has revealed just how close he came to joining Liverpool, before the deal fell through.
Last month, media reports suggested that the Reds were close to signing the 23-year-old, who currently plays for Pumas UNAM in Mexico.
According to Mexican broadcaster TUDN, Huerta was “very close” to sealing a permanent move to Anfield, which would have involved an initial loan to Championship side Sunderland before joining up with Liverpool next summer.
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Huerta had ‘bags packed’ ahead of move
However, the transfer reportedly collapsed after Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris vetoed the move, leaving Huerta to remain at Pumas.
“There was an issue,” Huerta told Spanish outlet AS following Mexico’s 0-0 draw with Canada in Texas.
“I had my suitcase ready, but it fell through because of an issue.”
Despite the setback, Huerta remains optimistic about his future. “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.”
He’s a reliable source of goal contributions, with 17 strikes and 11 assists in 75 appearances so far, and has appeared nine times for Mexico’s senior side, scoring once.
UNAM president Luis Raul Gonzalez Perez also addressed the situation, clarifying why the deal didn’t happen.
“It had nothing to do with the club or his intentions,” he explained. “On the contrary, they [Liverpool] recognised Huerta’s qualities. External circumstances from the teams involved meant the deal couldn’t materialise. It was not due to Huerta’s quality but because of other factors.”
Liverpool eventually strengthened their attacking line-up by signing Federico Chiesa from Juventus for an initial £10 million fee before the transfer deadline.
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