Who Is Piotr Zielinski and What Would He Bring to Liverpool?

Udinese’s former Empoli loanee Piotr Zielinski has emerged as a key target for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in his first summer transfer window on Merseyside, with the Poland international linked with the Reds throughout 2016.

According to Polish publication Przeglad Sportowy (h/t the Daily Star) earlier in May, Klopp had “verbally agreed” with Zielinski that he “would try to sign him after the season is over,” with television station Canal+ (h/t Metro) even reporting that a deal could be completed before last week’s UEFA Europa League final.

A miserable defeat to Sevilla later, and the Reds are seemingly no closer to signing the midfielder, with Daily Express’ Paul Joyce suggesting on Monday that Borussia Monchengladbach dynamo Mahmoud Dahoud was Liverpool’s “first choice to boost their midfield, ahead of…Zielinski.”

Gladbach are unlikely to part ways with Dahoud this summer, however, with Havard Nordtveit’s move to West Ham United confirmed by the Hammers and Granit Xhaka close to completing a big-money switch to Arsenal, according to Sky Sports, leaving Zielinski a more viable target for Klopp.

But who is Zielinski, and what could he bring to Klopp’s Liverpool squad for the 2016/17 campaign and beyond?

The 22-year-old has recently returned to parent club Udinese after two seasons on loan with fellow Serie A outfit Empoli, a lengthy spell that has spurred his development into a regular international for Adam Nawalka’s Poland side.

The youngster joined Udinese in 2011, after four years playing under his father, Bogdan, with Orzel Zabkowice Slaskie, and another four-year spell with Zaglebie Lubin—though Zielinski had been courted by a number of top European sides prior to his move to Italy.

According to Weszlo.com, a 12-year-old Zielinski dominated a friendly youth tournament while on trial with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, playing against a Liverpool team alongside current Reds striker Samed Yesil.

Zielinski is said to have received interest from Liverpool following his success in that tournament, but he opted against a move to England, with Real Madrid remaining his dream destination.

After his spell with Lubin, however, Zielinski made the switch to Udine in 2011, and progressed through the youth ranks before making his first-team debut 18 months later, replacing legendary striker Antonio Di Natale during stoppage time as Francesco …

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