Dutch star chose Galatasaray instead though.
Former Liverpool midfield player Dirk Kuyt has reveled that he almost managed to persuade Wesley Sneijder to join the Reds earlier this year, reports the Daily Mirror.
The highly-skilful Netherlands international was the subject of much speculation during the recent January transfer window about which club he would move to after deciding to leave Serie A giants Inter Milan.
And, the 28-year-old’s name was heavily linked with a possible move to Anfield, so much so that his compatriot even got in touch with Sneijder to persuade the player to join the Reds.
However, in the end the playmaker opted to join Kuyt himself in Turkey by signing a three-and-a-half-year-deal worth 7.5 million euros with Istanbul giants Galatasaray, arch rivals to Kuyt’s current employers Fenerbahce.
Since arriving in the Turkish capital at the turn of the year, Sneijder has found the back of the net on three occasions in just 11 league matches, while he also scored four times in 15 games in all competitions.
“I got in touch with him as soon as I heard about the link,” Kuyt is quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror.
“I tried to convince him that Liverpool would be a great step for him. I told him about the fans, the atmosphere in the ground and how special it is being part of such a unique club. I’ve no doubt he would have loved it and the fans there always appreciate a top player.
“But as far as I know, it wasn’t because he didn’t want to go there. Liverpool were never that close to actually signing him.
“He knows it is a big club with a massive history and I think he would have been a hit in the Premier League.
“Maybe I didn’t do a good enough job convincing him because he has ended up playing in Turkey with me!
“He’s at the top of the league with Galatasaray now, but it’s a shame Liverpool didn’t bring him in as I think he would have been perfect for them.”
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