Newcastle midfielder Mohamed Diame has admitted he came close to joining Liverpool several years ago.
The 29-year-old arrived at St. James’ Park from Hull last summer following Newcastle’s relegation to the Championship, but he could have embarked upon a different career path had he joined Liverpool several years earlier.
Diame revealed that he was “very close” to sealing a free transfer to the Merseyside club from Wigan in 2012, and that he had visited the Liverpool training ground to discuss a move, as well as his pre-season plans with then-manager Kenny Dalglish.
But he added that the potential move fell through after Dalglish was dismissed as manager, and replaced by Brendan Rodgers.
The former Senegal international was also on the radar of Arsenal in 2013, but despite declaring his intentions to move to the north London club, a deal failed to materialise.
He told ESPN FC: “The Arsenal links were true, but nothing came of it and I’m not sure why. I wanted to go there, for me it was a big move, but God decided it was not the way.
“The same happened with Liverpool when I left Wigan [2012]. They almost took me on a free transfer. I even went to the training ground, met Kenny Dalglish and a move was very close.
“I thought it was done! We discussed pre-season and everything, but shortly after they sacked Dalglish and Brendan Rodgers came in.”
Diame was an important player as Newcastle sealed an immediate return to the Premier League, contributing six goals and three assists from 41 appearances in all competitions.
Their return to the elite means the experienced midfielder will be competing in his eighth season in the Premier League next term, having previously featured in the competition for Wigan, West Ham and Hull City.
He has made a total of 179 appearances in England’s top flight, where he has scored 16 goals and supplied seven assists.