Former Ajax striker Dmitry Bulykin has recalled missing out on a move to England.
The former Russia international says he had several offers from the Premier League.
He told RB Sport: Premier League clubs were interested in me. These were Everton, Bolton and Portsmouth. I almost moved to one of these clubs, the transfer was very close, but the clubs and agents could not agree on a deal. There were two specific opportunities to move to England. However, after negotiations, my salary was increased in Russia, so I still received some benefit from these situations.
"Then I was in no hurry to move to Europe, because I thought that I would always have time to play there, and at home they paid good money, which was my motivation to not rush into the transition. Now I understand that it would have been entirely possible to leave earlier. However, that would have been a completely different story, and no one knows how my fate would have turned out then.
"I am completely satisfied with my foreign career, because I played for great clubs that are real flagships in their country. I became the champion of the Netherlands with Ajax, played for Bayer in the Bundesliga, this is objectively a pretty good journey."