Saturday 22 November 2014 13:25, UK
Xabi Alonso claims no Premier League offers were put to him before leaving Real Madrid for Bayern Munich.
It came as something of a surprise over the summer when the 32-year-old World Cup winner was allowed to leave Santiago Bernabeu.
Bayern were able to tempt Real into a sale, though, with the talented midfielder jumping at the chance to pen a two-year contract with the Bundesliga champions.
Alonso claims that was the only option put to him, with there no approaches from England for a man who spent five years with Liverpool between 2004 and 2009 – helping them to Champions League glory during his first season at Anfield.
He told the Daily Mail: “No. I only had this option.
“There were times I heard some English clubs said ‘what would he think’, but my idea was to stay in Madrid.
“Then when I heard of Munich’s interest I said, ‘Xabi, think what you want and where you will be happy’.
“I needed a fresh start somewhere. This might be my last experience in football.
“I came from my hometown team, Real Sociedad, to the best team in England, to the best team in Spain, to the best team in Germany. It is a beautiful career.
“I wanted a nice football script.”
