Sami Khedira has revealed he once held transfer talks with Liverpool and admits it was one of his ‘biggest dreams’ to play in the Premier League. The former Germany international retired in 2021 following a half-season stint back in the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin.

The 37-year-old started his career with VfB Stuttgart, but enjoyed his best years at Real Madrid and Juventus. He signed for the Spanish giants in July 2010, before moving to the Italian outfit on a free transfer in June 2015.

A World Cup winner with Germany in 2014, the midfielder won the Bundesliga and La Liga with Stuttgart and Real Madrid, before winning five Serie A titles with Juventus.

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He also lifted the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, European Super Cup and two Copa del Reys during his time in Spain, before winning three Coppa Italias in Italy.

Khedira can have no complaints about his career as a result, having won league titles in three of the five major European leagues and the biggest honours with two of the biggest names in European football.

But he has admitted he had an unfulfilled dream to play in the Premier League, with Liverpool one of the clubs he held transfer talks with during his career.

“Honestly, if you’re talking about a dream, it was one of my biggest dreams to play for an English club in the Premier League,” Khedira told BBC Sport.

“I played for two German clubs, an Italian club, a Spanish club so why not England? You have to ask the clubs.

“I spoke to Chelsea, I spoke to Liverpool, I spoke to Arsenal, all amazing clubs, we were close a few times.”

Meanwhile, Khedira admits it would have been a dream to play for the Reds’ bitter-rivals, Manchester United, as he opened up on how he once saw a move to Old Trafford blocked.

“We played with the Under-17s of Stuttgart against Manchester United, and went to Old Trafford afterwards for the Champions League against Stuttgart,” he recalled. “And I was like, ‘Wow!’ Amazing players. So that was like maybe my dream to play once for Manchester United.

“But, I can tell you that they were able to sign me but there was one coach who didn’t like me. And that was the same coach who was a coach for Bayern Munich. He didn’t sign me, a Dutch guy, but anyway you have your own taste.”