Roberto Carlos has opened up on how close he was to signing for Chelsea back in the summer of 2007.
The legendary left-back is remembered most for his 11-year spell at Real Madrid where he won four La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues.
But after becoming a free agent in 2007 after leaving Los Blancos, the Brazilian has now recalled how he had offers from both Chelsea and Turkish side Fenerbahce.
And although his preference was to seal a move to Stamford Bridge, the transfer collapsed at the last minute, meaning he headed to Turkey instead.
"I had two proposals, Fenerbahce and Chelsea," Carlos told Goal. "Chelsea didn't work out so I signed for Fenerbahce.
"But, with Chelsea, it got very close. It was literally agreed and I just had to go there and sign the contract.
"It was just a week before I signed for Fenerbahce and I had been to Paris to meet both Roman Abramovich and (former chief executive) Peter Kenyon.
"Unfortunately, in the final moments something didn't work out just before finalising, which happens a lot in football. There was an issue with the lawyer.
"It was all agreed, though, and I am 100 percent sure I would have done well in the Premier League and it would have suited my characteristics."
While Carlos also revealed that he could have moved to England before signing for Inter Milan back in 1995.
"I was still playing in Brazil with Palmeiras when Aston Villa came in for me in 1995 but they couldn't afford the deal," he recalled.
"After that, I went to Inter."
