At 34 years of age, Robin van Persie sealed an emotional return to his hometown club Feyenoord earlier this week, following a disappointing spell with Turkish giants Fenerbahce. But he could have moved back to England, with a Championship team showing an interest in the former Manchester United ace.
Having made his name with Feyenoord he then became a world class forward at Arsenal, before move to Manchester United, where he won the Premier League, in 2013. The Dutch striker then moved to Turkey with Fenerbahce, in 2015.
However after his time in Super Lig came to an end earlier this month, the 34-year-old could have returned for a second stint in England, in the second tier, before he made his move back home.
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Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has confirmed he turned down the opportunity to sign van Persie this month, with the Championship side eventually deciding to pass on the former Arsenal man.
Speaking via the Birmingham Mail, Bruce admitted he was keen on topping up his options up-front but explained why van Persie wasn't seen as the antidote.
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He said: "He was wanting to come out of Turkey and we looked at it long and hard. It's not often you get the availability of somebody like Robin van Persie. At the moment, with what we've got in that position and the amount of 30-year-olds we've got I just decided that it's better we look elsewhere.
"I wish him the best of luck. It was an interesting couple of days!"
Bruce currently has Scott Hogan, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Jonathan Kodjia, Keinan Davis and Ross McCormack available to him as the club chase promotion back to the Premier League.
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Villa currently sit in fourth place, just four points away from the automatic places. Behind runaway leaders Wolves in first it really is anyone's guess who will end up in the promotion and play off places.
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So, there you have it - we could've had a Championship team with John Terry at centre-back and Robin van Persie up top.
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Just imagine that for a second.
How do you think the flying Dutchman would have fared in the second tier of English football?
Have your say in the comments section, below.
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Topics: Football News, EFL, Aston Villa, Football, Robin van Persie, Eredivisie, Feyenoord