Former Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov has opened up on how he spurned the chance to move to Manchester City in 2008 - but he once came "agonisingly close" to joining Liverpool.
The Bulgarian striker departed Tottenham Hotspur on deadline day after two years at the club.
He arrived at Old Trafford for a sum of £30m and went on to win nine honours during his time in Manchester including three Premier League titles.
Speaking to MUTV, as cited by the MEN, Berbatov opened up on just how close he came to joining the Red Devils' local rivals.
He explained: "In my mind, it was never [close to a City move]. Because in that time, for me, it was about reaching my personal top, and that was Man United at that time.
"When you see the shirt, the red shirt, the badge, the history, the players, the managers... I mean, you fell in love immediately.
"My agent said, 'We have the interest from Man City' but I said, 'Man, please, you know where I want to go, just one way'."
In 2005, shortly after Rafa Benitez had joined Liverpool, Berbatov almost made the move to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen where he was leading the line.
It is a lesser-known story and one rarely discussed by Berbatov - but Benitez had entered into extensive negotiations with the Bundesliga outfit in order to tempt the attacker to Merseyside.
The Reds were dealt a major blow in their pursuit of the goalscorer as they were drawn to play Leverkusen in the last 16 of the Champions League.
This all but ended the transfer negotiations and Benitez then opted to add Real Madrid's Fernando Morientes to his attacking set-up instead.
As quoted by the Mirror, Benitez explained: "We knew about Berbatov before we played them in 2005, I'd been aware of him since I was in Valencia. He was a player were were looking at closely.
"Everybody can see the quality he has and we wanted him, but then the draw with Leverkusen came along and we couldn't get him. It is shame but we had to move on."
Berbatov moved to White Hart Lane in 2006 before making the Old Trafford switch two years later.
After four seasons at the club he returned to London after completing a move to Fulham.
In total Berbatov scored 94 goals in 229 appearances in England's top flight including a famous hat-trick against Liverpool.
How different things might have been for Benitez's side if they had got that particular deal over the line.