Bayer Leverkusen attacker Serdar Azmoun has revealed talks with Liverpool.

Azmoun – dubbed 'the Iranian Messi' – was one of several players the Reds were considering way back in January 2017 as they looked to bolster their attacking options given Sadio Mane's participation at the Africa Cup of Nations.

"There were talks of Liverpool having expressed an interest in me during the past winter transfer window," said the 27-year-old, who was playing at FC Rostov in Russia at the time.

“However, I did not feel the time to move was right. I would have ended up playing a few games and then spent a great deal of time on the bench as Liverpool were only looking to fill a void for a particular part of their season.

“I want to move to a big club to develop as a player and therefore I will time the move with great precision. I am sure I will be playing for a top European club in the near future."