Jesper Lindstrom says he turned down the chance to join Liverpool in favour of a move to Napoli this summer.
Lindstrom had been linked with joining the Reds from Eintracht Frankfurt during the transfer window. But in the end, the Dane headed to Naples in a £21m deal.
Now, speaking to Danish paper Tipsbladet, as relayed by Football Italia, Lindstrom has outlined exactly why he rejected Liverpool, despite being a supporter of the club.
“It was Liverpool and I am a Liverpool supporter, so it would’ve been a madly fascinating experience, but would it have been an intelligent move?” says the 23-year-old.
“If I don’t play, then I may as well sit in front of the TV and watch them play there while I am at a different club. I am at an age now where I have to play football.
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“This is why I think Napoli represent a good change. It is one of the best clubs in the world and they said I will have many opportunities to play.
Fair enough, but the chance may never come around again, Jesper.
Lindstrom turns down Liverpool
In some ways, you have to admire the mentality of Lindstrom. Being a Liverpool fan, he could quite easily have accepted joining the Reds, fulfilling a childhood dream.
But having obviously not seen a clear pathway for himself, he chose to join another, very big club, in order to play more games. However, having said that, you can also quite easily take this the other way, too.
Being a Red, Lindstrom perhaps should have had the mentality to back himself to make it at his boyhood club. Although he maybe wouldn’t have been an instant starter, he could have worked and trained hard, and convinced Jurgen Klopp of his quality.
Instead, he seemingly shirked that chance for an easier path.
Regardless of which way you’ll see this though, we’re not exactly sure why Liverpool were targeting Lindstrom this summer.
He’s a silky, technical midfielder who can play further forward, too. The Denmark international doesn’t look similar to any of Liverpool’s four midfield signings, and it seems unlikely that they were looking at a fifth.
So, call us sceptics, but we’re not sure just how concrete the Reds’ interest was. Either way, all the best in Naples, Jesper. Maybe there’ll be another chance.