Borussia Dortmund’s Nuri Sahin has revealed that he rejected a ‘great offer’ from Arsenal back in 2005, when the midfielder was just 16 years of age.

Sahin, currently injured, told Ntvspor that a move to Arsenal was on the cards, but he didn’t make in order to keep his family happy.

“When I was in the Under-17s in 2005, Arsenal wanted to sign me with a great bid. My family didn’t want me to go England.”

Rise

The Turkish midfielder’s family told him that the German club would have success again soon, and Sahin spoke of the trust he received from the German club, and hailed manager Jürgen Klopp in particular.

“They knew that Dortmund would rise again. I’m grateful for this. After the bid, Dortmund realised that I’m valuable.

“The next year Bert van Marwijk put me in the first team. I was only 16. Also (Jürgen) Klopp trusted me. He is a great person.

“He still keeps his humanity in the professional world. When I was in Madrid, he called me many times. We would talk for two to three hours but not about football.”

The rise of the midfielder mirrored that of the club he remained loyal to.

Sahin was named Bundesliga player of the season in 2010 at the young age of 22, helping Dortmund claim the title. The following summer he left for Real Madrid but is now back at Dortmund, following injuries in the Spanish capital and a difficult loan spell at Liverpool.

Loan deal

Arsenal also came close to clinching Sahin’s services on loan in 2012, but José Mourinho’s Real Madrid allowed him to complete his ill-fated move to Liverpool instead.

Back at Dortmund again, Sahin is struggling for fitness, but has re-established himself as a key part of the team.