BREAKING NEWS ●●Liverpool approached 23-year-old Mexico winger in shock deal club president confirms

Liverpool’s transfer window was on the quieter side, especially after setback of Martin Zubimendi, but it appears work was going on for other deals in the background

Cesar Huerta was a transfer target for Liverpool

Liverpool looked into a shock deal for 23-year-old Mexico winger Cesar Huerta this summer.

That’s according to both the coach and president of Liga MX club Pumas UNAM, who claim the Reds were sniffing around their highly-rated attacker. Huerta hit 11 goals and registered 10 assists in the Liga MX last season and reports in Mexico claim Liverpool had also made plans to loan the forward to Sunderland.

UNAM boss Gustavo Lema revealed this week: “Huerta was scouted by one of the best clubs in the world and that is a source of pride. What are you going to tell people? That you have a player who was scouted by Liverpool? No, people want to win and that is their right. We cannot tell people anything.”

UNAM president Luis Raul Gonzalez Perez has since clarified when asked why the deal never happened: “It had nothing to do with the club or his intention, on the contrary, they recognised the qualities of Huerta. External circumstances of the teams themselves that envisioned it could not materialise. I repeat, not because of the quality of Huerta, but because of external circumstances.”

It’s not the only deal not to have gone through. Martin Zubimendi rejected Liverpool to stay with Real Sociedad. The Reds had all the necessary pieces in place, including a deal with the club and personal terms agreed with the player, but the midfielder made a U-turn at the eleventh hour.

Cesar Huerta nearly secured a move to

Liverpool did complete two marquee signings before the window closed, however, bringing in both Federico Chiesa from Juventus and Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia – the latter, though, will remain with the La Liga side this season.

New boss Arne Slot was unconcerned by the lack of any further incomings. “The first aim is to work with these players,” Slot said. “The disadvantage is that many of them aren’t here yet. The positive is that it gives us time to take a good look at the youngsters.

“There is an important line at the club that young players come through. Our standards are really high when it comes to bringing in new players. “Of course, Richard (Hughes) and I are trying to improve the squad where possible.”