Liverpool Transfer News: Major Signings, Huge Names Linked to Reds Before Summer

Liverpool were handed a major boost in the race to sign Udinese star Piotr Zielinski, as Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed the Poland international will likely turn down their transfer offer in favour of a move to the Reds. Elsewhere, links with Argentina international Gabriel Mercado have emerged.

Speaking to Corriere dello Sport (h/t Football Italia), De Laurentiis revealed his club were on the verge of signing Zielinski after fruitful negotiations with Udinese, but the player turned Napoli down, as he's waiting for the Reds to make their move:

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I negotiated for Zielinski with the Pozzo family and we finalised every detail.

Instead it now seems as if the player is doing everything possible to resist the move and not come here. He wants Liverpool.

Maybe he has never been to Naples, or just loves The Beatles… If I were Zielinski, I’d run here. I’d tell him, are you not interested in playing the Champions League with Maurizio Sarri as your teacher?

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The 22-year-old was one of Serie A's top breakout performers in Serie A last season, impressing while on loan with Empoli. The Azzurri are known as one of the best clubs in Italy when it comes to talent development, and they worked their magic once again with the Pole, who became a much better player during his year in Florence.

Zielinski was primarily used as a central midfielder, although he has the versatility to split out wide or move forward and play behind the main striker. He has remarkably quick feet and excellent vision, routinely finding the open man with either short passes or long balls.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

The young midfielder isn't a natural finisher, but at Empoli, he didn't have to be, as he had the prolific Riccardo Saponara playing ahead of him. At Anfield, Philippe Coutinho has a similar role, so manager Jurgen Klopp already knows Zielinski would fit his system.

He likely wouldn't be an immediate starter, as he's too similar to Joe Allen, who is expected to be a regular for Klopp next season. But as the kind of project player Klopp has found so much success with in the past, Zielinski would present excellent value.

Udinese have been a selling club for a long time, nurturing young talent like Alexis Sanchez and Luis Muriel before selling their stars for a profit, and they'll recognise the value in moving Zielinski for a fair price in 2016.

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The fact Zielinski is so eager to sign for Liverpool is a major bonus and something fans will respect, as he's effectively turning down UEFA Champions League football with Napoli for the chance to make his mark at Anfield.

Elsewhere, the Daily Mirror (h/t Daily Star's Luke Gardener) reports Klopp was “impressed” with Argentina international Mercado during his team's Copa America win over Chile, and he's now contemplating a move for the 29-year-old.

Mercado spent the bulk of his career playing in his native Argentina and found plenty of success with iconic club River Plate, before reportedly moving to Mexican side Monterrey. There's some confusion over whether or not he'll join the Mexican team this summer, opening the door for Liverpool to swoop in.

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The Argentina international mainly plays as a right-back, although he's comfortable in a central role as well. With Kolo Toure reportedly set to exit Anfield, per Gardener, Mercado could offer the kind of depth and versatility Klopp's team needs.

But while Mercado would be a solid depth signing―assuming he hasn't already moved to Monterrey―you have to imagine Liverpool could do better. With Joel Matip joining during the summer as well, the need to spend big on the defense isn't that major, and Mercado is not a likely candidate to join the club in 2016.