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Keita reveals he snubbed Liverpool

By on February 4, 2014

Former Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita has revealed that he snubbed Liverpool for Valencia once he heard that the Spanish club were interested in him. Keita, who has made 88 appearances for Mali as the African nation’s main man, said he was in “advanced talks” with Liverpool before breaking off talks and deciding to join Valencia after hearing of their interest in him.

At his unveiling as a Valencia player in on Monday, he said: “When we received the call from Valencia, talks with Liverpool were at a very advanced stage.

“But then I told my agent we were going to Valencia. I did not doubt for a second.”

The 34-year-old has spent the last year-and-half at the Chinese club Dalian Aerbin, but has moved back to Europe, where he has previously won La Liga three times and the Champions League twice at Barcelona. Keita has also won the UEFA Europa League with Sevilla, and will be looking to do the same with Valencia, which he has joined on a deal until the end of the season. The Mali international also said that the deal includes the option of extending the contract for another year come June: “It is important that this is clear. I am coming here from China. To sign for a year-and-a-half is a difficult thing for the club,” Keita said.

“I told them to relax, that I would sign for six months and if I have the right level we will all have time to continue. That is better for the club and for everyone.”

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.