Rennes star Jeremy Doku has opened up on why he decided against a move to Liverpool in 2018.
While aged just 15, the talented winger was already proving to be one of the best wonderkids in Europe.
His performances attracted interest from Premier League sides Arsenal and Chelsea.
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However, it was Liverpool who had the biggest admiration for Doku.
They were intent on signing him but were rebuffed as he ultimately decided to stay with Anderlecht.
Speaking about the decision, Doku told Ouest-France (via Metro): “I was going to be 16 and that was the age you can sign a pro contract.
“A lot of teams came to see me. Everyone talks about Liverpool because it was the most concrete interest but there was also Arsenal and Chelsea.
“I was able to discuss with Jurgen [Klopp], [Sadio] Mane, [Gini] Wijnaldum… [Steven] Gerrard too. I talked a lot with Mane but we didn’t really talk about football. We talked about everything.
“He told me that I was young, that I still had time. He wasn’t trying to convince me or say to me ‘come here, you will succeed’.
“I preferred to be careful. I know what my trajectory had to be. That’s why, at 15, I told myself it had become serious, because I’d seen my career. I know what route I needed to take and I knew at that moment I needed to stay at Anderlecht.
“As soon as I’m asked if I regret it, I always say no, because if Liverpool came to me at 15, if they like me, they’ll come back later, that’s certain. It’s up to me to play well.”
The player’s decision to stay with Anderlecht proved correct as he soon became a first-team regular.
Doku played 37 times for Anderlecht, scoring six goals and assisting seven more.
His appearances in the Belgian league earned him a £23.4million move to Rennes in October 2020.
That saw the player take the next step in his bid to become one of Europe’s best wingers.
Now aged 18, Doku is enjoying regular game time in Ligue 1. He’s made 24 appearances already this term and scored in back-t0-back matches in December.
Liverpool are still believed to hold an interest in him, which means a move to Anfield could yet happen.
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