Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva revealed that he was on the verge of leaving the club over the summer transfer window.
Leiva was closely linked with a loan move to Beşiktaş but the deal fell through at the last minute when Reds boss Brendan Rodgers decided to keep the defensive midfielder following injury to Jordan Henderson.
“It’s been very intense [the window], to be honest,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.
“I think the last couple of years, every transfer window my name is [linked with a move].
“Of course there are times when you think you might have to move on and I was very close to moving but one thing I will always have is commitment to this club.
The experienced midfielder put on an impressive performance in his first start of the season against X.
Beşiktaş were in the transfer market for a central midfielder following injury to both Veli Kavlak and Tolgay Arslan who could be out until the turn of the year.
The Black Eagles were also linked with a loan move for Chelsea midfielder Mikel which also fell through.
The Istanbul giants ended up failing to find a replacement which opened the door for former Arsenal youth Oğuzhan Özyakup to earn a first team place. The 22-year-old has thrived so far this season scoring twice and providing four assists – including international games.
