A PREMIER League cult icon once turned down a move to Liverpool because he loved London shisha bars too much.
The Reds were knocked back after attempting to sign mercurial midfielder Adel Taarabt during his time at Queens Park Rangers.
GettyAdel Taarabt rejected a move to Liverpool because he loved London shisha bars too much[/caption]
GettyTaarabt became a Premier League cult hero during his time in England[/caption]
Former Spurs hopeful Taarabt became a fan favourite during his time in England, with his flair and skill even endearing himself to rival supporters.
His ability to produce moments of magic saw the Moroccan hailed as a player the “streets will never forget”.
However, he once turned down the chance to join giants Liverpool due to his habit of visiting shisha bars, according to former team-mate Darren Bent.
Bent lifted the lid on the scuppered transfer by telling talkSPORT: “I know some players that I know really well, that were playing in London and had no interest whatsoever in leaving London.
“I’ll give you the prime example. Adel Taarabt was on an absolute King’s ransom at Queen’s Park Rangers.
“He was on a bucket full of money and I think he was getting linked to a couple of clubs up north – bigger clubs as well.
“I think Liverpool were linked with him for a bit. I said to him, ‘What you thinking?’. He went, ‘I’m not leaving London, I don’t care how much!’.
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“I go, ‘Yeah but look at the size of the club!’. He goes, ‘Benty, everyday I train, I finish, King’s Road, shisha! I don’t want to leave London’.”
After rejecting a move to Liverpool, Taarabt would go on to have a loan spell at Fulham following QPR’s relegation in 2013.
He would eventually leave London a year later, moving to Italy to join AC Milan. Now aged 34, Taarabt plays in the UAE for Al-Nasr.