Anzhi star Samuel Eto'o admits he was ready to move to England two years ago.
Eto'o has revealed he was on the brink of joining a Premier League club when he left Barcelona in 2009.
The Cameroon striker says he had agreed a deal to come to an English club but changed his mind at the last minute after a phone call from Jose Mourinho, who persuaded him to join Inter Milan.
Eto'o told French newspaper L'Equipe: "Before going to Italy, I was almost signed to another club [in England].
"Everything was sorted but then after a match in Yaounde, I received a call from president Moratti and several minutes after one from Jose Mourinho [then Inter coach].
"I do not regret that decision. I was brave because I broke my word.
"I had to tell the English team and it was really tough, but they understood."