Reds interested in signing Zapata, agent confirms

Cristian Zapata's agent has confirmed that Liverpool are interested in his services, but due to the Copa America a move for the Colombian is slowing down.

The 24-year-old Udinese defender admitted last week that he would be prepared to give up Champions League football with the Italians to join the Reds.

He told La FM: "Bayern Munich and Liverpool are two real possibilities for me. We are pretty close to those clubs and those are my options and I hope they come true.

"The Liverpool option is the most serious one."

Now his agent, Massimo Italiani, has admitted that talks over a possible move for the centre-back are ongoing, telling Goal.com Italy: "We are still a long way away from finalising the talks.

"We are searching a team that offers an important project, a team of a certain level, otherwise the player, who has a contract until 2013, will be fine at Udinese."

He also admitted that his client has ambitions of playing in the Premier League.

"The Premier League is his dream, he has told me that, but it is a dream that has not yet come true," he said.

"Also there is the Copa America to come, which is slowing down talks a little. In the next 10 days I think that I will be able to be more clear on Zapata's future."

Italiani also ruled out a move to fellow Serie A side Fiorentina, saying: "I can exclude this lead, Fiorentina are already sorted in this position. This is a moment in which one talks a lot, but in general little happens."

The 24-year old has made 152 appearances for Udinese since joining the club in 2005, scoring three goals, and could be seen as a long-term replacement for Anfield legend Jamie Carragher.

Source: Goal.com

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