Mark van Bommel has admitted that "it is a regret" he never played in the Premier League.
The 38-year-old had spells in his native Holland with Fortuna Sittard and PSV Eindhoven, as well as playing for Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AC Milan prior to his retirement in 2013.
Throughout his career, the midfielder was frequently linked with a host of English clubs, including the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Aston Villa.
However, a move never materialised, despite Van Bommel having claimed that his combative playing style would have been successful in England.
"The way I played, it suited really well to the Premier League. It is a regret that I did not play there," Van Bommel told Sports Mole.
"Spain, Italy, Germany and Holland, but missing is England. I had a few offers, but it never fit. I was close, but when I negotiated with another club and an English club came in, I went to the other club."
In total, Van Bommel, who played in the 2010 World Cup final, won nine league titles in four different countries.
Liam Apicella
