Cristian Zapata has admitted that Liverpool are interested in the defender’s services, but the Copa America is slowing down the procedure. He also revealed that a move to German powerhouse Bayern Munich is possible, if the Liverpool talks break down by any chance.
Zapata himself admitted last week that Bayern and Liverpool had made advances and they were real possibilities, with the Merseyside one being more serious. This, in spite of the fact that Liverpool are ineligible to play in the prestigious Champions League next season while Bayern have already qualified.
Zapata spoke to La FM, and said-
“Bayern Munich and Liverpool are two real possibilities for me. We are pretty close to those clubs and those are my options and I hope they come true.”
“The Liverpool option is the most serious one.”
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Zapata’s agent, Massimo Italiani, has also revealed that talks regarding the defender’s transfer are ongoing; although he tempered the frenzy by saying that they were in a very preliminary stage as of now. He also said that Zapata would be more than willing to stay on at Udinese if a move fails to materialise.
He talked to Goal.com Italy and said-
“We are searching a team that offers an important project, a team of a certain level, otherwise the player, who has a contract until 2013, will be fine at Udinese.”
Italiani also let it slip that Zapata would be interested in playing for a Premier League club if an offer came along, the only Premier League club to make an offer so far being Liverpool. He said-
“The Premier League is his dream, he has told me that, but it is a dream that has not yet come true,”
He expressed frustration over the fact that the Copa America was slowing things down a bit. He was hopeful of a concrete decision being reached either way over the next 10 days. He said-
“Also there is the Copa America to come, which is slowing down talks a little. In the next 10 days I think that I will be able to be more clear on Zapata’s future.”
The agent ruled out a move to fellow Italian side Fiorentina however, and said that there would be lots of misleading talk during his period. On the Fiorentina rumour, he said-
“I can exclude this lead, Fiorentina are already sorted in this position. This is a moment in which one talks a lot, but in general little happens.”
The 24 year old has been a rock at the back for Udinese this season, helping them to finish fourth and get within sight of the Champions League. He has made 152 appearances for them so far, scoring three times. Liverpool will be eager to snap up the Colombian, who is seen as a replacement when Anfield legend Jamie Carragher retires.
