Revealed: The international star whose move to Liverpool came so close this summer claims he ‘had his suitcase packed’ before the move fell through

A Mexican international claims he almost secured a move to Liverpool last summer but the intended transfer never went ahead.

The Merseyside club have had a relatively quiet summer on the player market as their new head coach Arne Slot had to adapt to the squad he took over from Jurgen Klopp.

The Dutchman brought in just two players, both late in the transfer window, with only one of them joining the Reds this summer.

Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili joined from Valencia for a fee of £33million but will join the Reds next summer, while forward Federico Chiesa joined from Juventus for a bargain £12.5million.

However, reports have emerged that the Reds are close to further strengthening their attacking line, with one international star admitting he has already packed his bags in preparation for the move.

Arne Slot was reportedly close to signing an international winger during the transfer period

Federico Chiesa (left) and Giorgi Mamardashvili (right) were Liverpool’s only signings this summer

According to broadcaster TUDN, Mexican left winger Cesar Huerta, who plays for Pumas UNAM, was close to a permanent move to Liverpool.

According to the outlet, the 23-year-old would be loaned to Championship club Sunderland if he were to leave.

Following his country’s 0-0 draw with Canada on Tuesday, Huerta responded to speculation over his failed transfer.

“There was a problem,” Huerta told Spanish outlet AS. “I had my suitcase ready, but it got lost due to a problem.

“I know that sooner or later I will get the chance if I keep doing things well. I know it’s a train that only comes once and I’m focused on Pumas.”

According to reports, the proposed deal was torpedoed by Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris.

Huerta’s hopes of a move to Anfield appear to be in tatters and UNAM president Luis Raul Gonzalez Perez has explained where it all went wrong.

“It had nothing to do with the club or its intentions,” Perez said. “On the contrary, they recognized Huerta’s qualities.

Cesar Huerta claims he had his ‘suitcase packed’ before a move to the Reds fell through

Huerta revealed how close the deal came to completion after Mexico’s draw with Canada

‘External circumstances of the teams themselves prevented it from happening. I repeat, not because of the quality of Huerta, but because of external circumstances.’

Huerta has only one year left on his contract with Pumas; his deal with the Mexican club expires in June 2025.

The winger has scored 29 goals, 17 of which were goals, in 76 appearances for the club since joining from Chivas in the summer of 2022.