Nemanja Matic reportedly wanted Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho to rescue him from Chelsea last summer.
The Serbia international endured a difficult second half to the 2015/16 season under interim Blues manager Guus Hiddink.
The 28-year-old fell down the pecking order and according to the Mirror, Matic was hoping to seek a route to Old Trafford.
However, Mourinho eventually opted to stick with Marouane Fellaini, and the Chelsea midfielder has since earned his way back into the picture in west London.
Nemanja Matic, Eden Hazard, Rhian Brewster and Arsene Wenger all feature in our Transfer News
Eden Hazard is reportedly searching for a house in Spain's capital as he edges nearer a move to Real Madrid.
Chelsea's star winger has been targeted by La Liga giants, with Zinedine Zidane determined to make him his first summer signing.
Florentino Perez was unable to meet the manager's request last summer, but they will not fail this time around.
According to Spanish outlet Don Balon, contact between the parties has been constant and Hazard has now begun house hunting in La Finca.
The luxurious residential area is home to a number of top Bernabeu stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo, with Chelsea's 26-year-old apparently keen to swap London for Madrid.
They take the players they want and they are a bit lonely on the market
Arsene Wenger
Arsene Wenger claims Arsenal cannot compete with Bayern Munich in the transfer market due to their lack of competition in Germany.
The Gunners saw his side once again humiliated by the Bundesliga outfit last night as they were beaten 5-1 in their Champions league round of 16 second leg.
"Bayern are a good team and they do what they want in Germany, which we cannot do in England," Wenger said.
"Nobody can compete with them, they take the players they want and they are a bit lonely on the market. That’s not the case in England."
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Liverpool youngster Rhian Brewster says it was an easy decision to quit Chelsea for Anfield.
The 16-year-old joined the Reds' academy two years ago, having left west London following seven years in Chelsea's academy.
The striker was drawn to Liverpool by Jurgen Klopp's promotion of youth and the club's stature.
"I told them (Chelsea) I wanted to look at my options because I didn’t see a pathway to become a first-team player there," Brewster told Liverpool's official website.
“There were a few clubs interested but once I knew Liverpool were one of them it was an easy choice. Liverpool is a club that does give young players opportunities and it’s a great feeling to play for this club."
