Had my suitcase ready’: Player says he was all set to join Liverpool this summer before last-minute transfer collapsed

Liverpool made just two signings this summer, though the total could have been three had Cesar Huerta joined the Reds.

The Mexico international was a late target for Liverpool, with plans for him to join the Merseyside club before being loaned out to Sunderland. However, the deal ultimately fell through, and Huerta stayed with Pumas in Mexico. Consequently, Liverpool concluded the summer window with only Federico Chiesa as their outfield signing.

Huerta has now disclosed how close he came to moving to Liverpool. Speaking while on international duty with Mexico, the 23-year-old revealed he was prepared to travel to England to finalize the transfer, only for the deal to collapse at the last moment.

Given the unexpected nature of the move for Liverpool, it’s not surprising that the transfer didn’t materialize, even though Huerta is a standout performer in Liga MX and could potentially make an impact in Europe. Huerta’s agent was reportedly frustrated with the deal’s collapse, indicating that something went amiss on Liverpool’s side. Nevertheless, Huerta remains unfazed and is focused on his current club. He said, “I already had my suitcase ready, but then I had to drop it. I know that sooner or later, if I keep doing things right, I’ll get the opportunity. It’s a move that only happens once, and I’m focused on Pumas.”

A move from Liga MX to the Premier League is rare and often challenging, with few players making a successful transition, such as Manchester United legend Javier Hernandez. For Huerta, a transfer to Liverpool might have been premature, despite his impressive performance last season with Pumas. An additional year in Mexico could be beneficial for him, and the opportunity to move to Europe, possibly even to Liverpool, may arise in the future.