Wednesday, 25th May, 2011
Hamburg’s Dutch winger Eljero Elia has confirmed that Liverpool, Everton and Juventus were all keen on his services in the January transfer window, but his German club blocked any move.
They were willing to deal when Wolfsburg made a big-money bid, but Elia himself was not keen on joining a club in the thick of a relegation battle.
The speedy 24-year-old has emerged as a hot property this summer, with Liverpool and Juventus both thought ready to revive their interest in the Dutchman. For Elia, it would be little surprise given both chased him over the winter.
"Liverpool, Everton and Juventus all wanted me in the winter, loan with an option to buy", said Elia to NUSport.
"VfL Wolfsburg immediately offered €20M and a top salary. Hamburg had ears, I understood, but I want to enjoy football. Wolfsburg then fought against relegation, my old coach Steve McClaren was under pressure. My feeling was ‘do not do it’. Fortunately."
And Elia explained he was disappointed that moves to Liverpool and Juventus were blocked by Hamburg, as his response to interest from the pair could have been very different.
"Too bad. Liverpool are England’s top club, Juventus remain the biggest club in Italy. Bigger than AC Milan, Inter and the rest."
The Dutchman has also wondered about a move to each and is delighted with the prospect.
"Juventus ouuh! It would be great.
"At Liverpool, [Dirk] Kuyt on the right, the striker [Andy] Carroll, [Luis] Suarez and I on the left or behind. Are we all crazy? But that is all for the future. These birds are still flying in the air, I have to watch what I have in my hand. That’s Hamburg."
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