Steven Gerrard previously revealed the five clubs that tried to sign him during his time at Liverpool.
Gerrard, 45, is arguably the greatest Liverpool player of all time alongside the likes of Kenny Dalglish and Mohamed Salah.
During his 17-year spell at Anfield, he, at times, single-handedly dragged an average Reds side to silverware with his late strike in the 2006 FA Cup final and performance in the 2005 Champions League final, showing the very best of Gerrard’s ability.
Liverpool supporters even nodded towards Gerrard’s loyalty when discussing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid earlier this summer, with some singing Gerrard’s name as Alexander-Arnold was introduced during a Premier League match against Arsenal.
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But Gerrard’s loyalty was tested on multiple occasions, as Europe’s top clubs tried to sign him.
Arguably, the most well-known saga was when Chelsea tried to sign him in 2005. As reported by The Athletic, Gerrard wanted the move and even agreed on personal terms before performing a U-turn.
In his 2013 book, ‘Steven Gerrard: My Story’, Gerrard revealed all the times other clubs tried to sign him.
“I knew what it felt like to be the subject of attention as a player," he said. "In 2005, just months after I led Liverpool to victory in the Champions League, Jose Mourinho came close to persuading me to leave.
“I was on the brink of agreeing to sign for Chelsea when feeling suddenly felt sick at the thought of turning my back on Liverpool, even after we’d had such needless difficulties over a new contract.
“I made a decision I never regretted, I committed myself to Liverpool. The offers kept coming when I was playing my best football, probably in 2006 and even in 2009.
“There were some big chances to leave. Chelsea again, Real Madrid twice, and the second time was more tempting because once more, Mourinho wanted me.
“Playing for Jose in the white shirt of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, only Liverpool could have made me say no again.
“Even after Euro 2012, when I had my most consistent tournament for England… Bayern Munich were in touch with my agent; they wanted to know if I’d be interested in joining them. This was the summer before the season… they went on to win the treble, beating Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final in May 2013.
"Maybe I could’ve been a part of that team. [But], I knew I would remain at Liverpool.”
He added: “Mourinho had also spoken about trying to sign me for Inter Milan in the season they won the Champions League. Barcelona apparently sniffed and skirted around me, but I’m not sure they were especially interested.”
And despite the interest, Gerrard remained at Liverpool until 2015 before he enjoyed a season at MLS side LA Galaxy.
Topics: Steven Gerrard, Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Transfer News, Football, Jose Mourinho
Luke Davies