Nuri Sahin: My family blocked my Arsenal move

     Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin has revealed his family prevented him from completing a move to Arsenal in 2005.

He said his family made the decision because they did not want to move to England.

"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," he told Ntvspor.

"They knew that Dortmund would rise again. I'm grateful for this. After the bid, Dortmund realized that I'm valuable." 

"The next year Bert van Marwijk put me in the first team. I was only 16. Also 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."

Talking about Klopp and his time at Spanish Giants, Real Madrid, he added: "He [Klopp] 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."

"I came to Dortmund when I was 12. I scored my first goal against Schalke with the U-14 team. "The Bundesliga fans like loyalty. Dortmund is the only place that I feel at home. Dortmund is my home. 

"Madrid is a bit different, every player dreams about it. Madrid fans are familiar with success. They feel excited only by the El Clasico or the Champions League. Liverpool and Dortmund are different, especially Dortmund."

 The 26 year old spent three years at the Bernabeu which was highlighted with injuries, making only four league appearances during that period. Since returning back to Dortmund this season, he has made five appearances and scored a goal.

The German-born midfielder also spent some time on loan in Liverpool during the 2012-2013 season.
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