The reason why Adel Taarabt refused to leave QPR for a bigger club up North

Adel Taarabt's reasoning for rejecting a move up north and remaining in London has been revealed in a hilarious Darren Bent story.

The skilful Moroccan first moved to the 'Big Smoke' as a 17-year-old in 2007 when he joined Spurs but played just nine times in the Premier League.

He then lit up the Championship with Queens Park Rangers in a scintillating 2010/11 campaign that the 'Streets Will Never Forget'.

Taarabt scored 19 times in 44 games and won the Football League Player of the Year award as QPR achieved promotion to the Premier League under Neil Warnock.

He later went on represent QPR in the Premier League as well as Fulham, the final club of his spell in England.

There was reported interest from Liverpool at one stage but Bent claims Taarabt told him exactly why he would never leave the capital.

"I know someone players that I know really well, that were playing in London and had no interest whatsoever in leaving London," Bent said on talkSPORT.

"I'll give you the prime example. Adel Taarabt was on an absolute King's ransom at Queen's Park Rangers. He was on a bucket full of money and I think he was getting linked to a couple of clubs up north - bigger clubs as well.

"I think Liverpool were linked with him for a bit. I said to him, 'What you thinking?'. He went, 'I'm not leaving London, I don't care how much!'.

"I go, 'Yeah but look at the size of the club!'. He goes, 'Benty, everyday I train, I finish, King’s Road, shisha! I don't want to leave London'."

Taarabt did then move out of London and ventured to Italy with AC Milan, where he played 14 times on loan in 2013/14.

He then ended up becoming a disciplined central midfielder at Benfica for a period before turning out for Genoa and Emirati club Al Nasr.