Bayern Munich made an ambitious last-ditch attempt to sign Sepp van den Berg - while he was undergoing his medical with Liverpool .
Champions League winners Liverpool confirmed on Thursday morning that they have reached an agreement to sign the Holland Under-19 defender from PEC Zwolle.
The highly-rated 17-year-old will join them in July after finalising a deal - subject to international clearance - understood to be worth an initial £1.3million.
Van den Berg, who made 15 appearances for the Eredivisie side last season, has agreed a "long-term contract" at Anfield and will become Jurgen Klopp's first signing of the summer.
But The Times has claimed that Bayern were among the teams who have also been keeping tabs on his progress and didn't give up their pursuit until his Reds switch was confirmed.
It is claimed that the youngster was in the middle of his medical at Liverpool when Bayern bombarded his representatives with calls in a bid to get him to ditch his Liverpool move.
The German giants ultimately lost out to their Premier League counterparts, though, and the youngster is now relishing the prospect of continuing his progress in England.
He said: "It's just an amazing feeling. It is, for me, the biggest club in the world and it's a dream come true. I am really excited.
"I've seen what kind of players from the academy grew into the first team here. It is unbelievable, especially when this kind of big club does that.
"Of course, the trainer (Klopp) is a great guy and one of the reasons they are successful - and also one of the reasons I came here. I think this is the best place for me to grow and hopefully play a lot of games here."
Van Den Berg, who has four under-19 caps, will join the first-team squad but is expected to be eased into action with games in the academy side.
Liverpool have also announced that 18-year-old midfielder Abdi Sharif has signed his first professional contract with the club.
Sharif was born in Somalia but raised in Toxteth and has been training with the club since the age of six.
He was a member of the side that won the FA Youth Cup last season, scoring a penalty in the shoot-out and has also played in the Under-23s team.
