The Transfer That Almost Was: How Edon Zhegrova Nearly Landed at Anfield

The summer transfer window is always a whirlwind of rumors, negotiations, and near-misses. For every deal that gets finalized, there are several others that linger in the background, stories of what might have been. One such tale from the recent window involves the talented winger Edon Zhegrova, whose name was surprisingly linked with some of Europe’s most prestigious clubs, including Liverpool.

It’s funny how a player’s trajectory can capture the attention of the football world. Zhegrova, with his dazzling footwork and eye for goal, had been turning heads at LOSC Lille. It was only a matter of time before bigger clubs came circling. The buzz really started to build when Juventus finally secured his signature, a move that seemed to make sense for all parties. But what many fans might not know is that the path to Turin could have easily veered towards Merseyside or Madrid.

Liverpool’s Calculated Interest

For Liverpool, the summer was about strategic evolution. With an eye on refreshing their attacking options for the long term, they executed some brilliant business, bringing in stars like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. But behind the scenes, the recruitment team is always considering multiple scenarios. This is where Edon Zhegrova entered the picture.

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The Kosovo international was reportedly viewed as a potential option for the right wing, an area where the iconic Mohamed Salah, while still brilliant, isn’t getting any younger. The idea was one of succession planning—bringing in a dynamic player who could learn from the best and eventually step into a more prominent role. It seemed like a smart, forward-thinking move.

However, a transfer like this is never straightforward. For a deal to materialize, Liverpool would likely have needed to move on from Federico Chiesa first, creating both a squad space and the financial flexibility to make a move. But the biggest stumbling block, as it so often is in football, was fitness. A persistent groin injury had plagued Zhegrova, causing him to miss a significant chunk of the previous season. For a club like Liverpool, where the physical demands are immense, committing a substantial transfer fee to a player with recent fitness concerns was deemed too big a risk. The interest, therefore, remained just that—interest. It never progressed to a formal offer.

A Glance from the Spanish Giants

Interestingly, Liverpool weren’t the only European powerhouse keeping a casual eye on the situation. Real Madrid, perpetual hunters of the world’s top talent, were also credited with admiration for Zhegrova. They, too, were looking for solutions on the right flank, seeking a player who could inject consistent pace and creativity.

But Real Madrid’s strategy often involves a blend of galactico signings and securing the next generation of superstars. In this case, they opted for the latter path, signing the highly-rated Argentine teenager Franco Mastantuono from River Plate. Mastantuono’s subsequent rapid integration and impressive performances made the pursuit of Zhegrova redundant. The winger, from Real’s perspective, quickly shifted from a potential target to a secondary option.

A New Chapter in Serie A

So, while the links to the Premier League and La Liga made for exciting headlines, Zhegrova’s future was always most likely to be in Serie A. His move to Juventus represents a fantastic opportunity for both player and club. For Juventus, it’s a calculated gamble—a chance to acquire a player of immense talent at a value price, partly because of those aforementioned fitness concerns. For Zhegrova, it’s the platform he needs to prove himself at the highest level.

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The narrative now is entirely in his hands. The interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid confirms his quality; now, the challenge is to stay healthy and consistently perform for Juventus. He’ll be eager to justify the faith the Turin club has shown in him and perhaps, in doing so, prove a point to the clubs who ultimately hesitated. In the high-stakes game of football transfers, sometimes the best signings are the ones you don’t make, and the best motivations are the opportunities that slipped away.