Denis Cheryshev: Real Madrid winger 'didn't think twice' about loan move to Valencia

Real Madrid winger Denis Cheryshev has said that he "didn't think twice" about moving on loan to Valencia during the January transfer window despite reportedly having other offers from Liverpool, Sevilla and Villarreal. The club's sporting director, Jesus Garcia Pitarch, confirmed that the Russian international had other offers on the table but was delighted that he chose to move to the Gary Neville-managed side instead.

The 25-year-old winger was linked with a move to Anfield during the summer transfer window last year after reports from Spain claimed that then-manager of Liverpool Brendan Rodgers had identified him as the perfect replacement for Rahem Sterling. Real Madrid blocked his departure, but after having barely playing during the first part of the season The Mirror claimed that Liverpool were ready to renew attempts to secure the player's services after Shakhtar Donetsk knocked them back over their main target, Alex Texeira.

Villareal and Sevilla, meanwhile, were also interested in securing his services but the player instead agreed a loan move to Gary Neville's side.

Asked by a reporter in his Valencia presentation why he chose to join Valencia despite having two other offers from Liverpool and Sevilla, Cheryshev said: "Valencia are a huge club and it is a great opportunity for me to come here. The sporting director and the coaching staff have shown confidence in me and I want to help however I can. That [support] has been decisive [in my decision]."

When asked whether he was also close to Sevilla or Villarreal, he said: "I don't know. My agent deal with that things. They told me about the option to join Valencia and I am delighted to be here. When the option of Valencia came up, I didn't think twice. I am very happy to be here."

Meanwhile, Garcia Pitarch explained that Valencia have been trying to sign him earlier in the transfer window but that the opportunity to secure his services only emerged on deadline day. "Real Madrid had told me that there were not any options [to sign him] some weeks ago, but on Monday [deadline day] Gines Carvajal [Cheryshev's agent] called me to inform me that Real Madrid were ready to loan him and that there were several clubs interested. He told me that Denis wanted to come to Valencia.

"We are grateful that Denis has chosen to be with us and join our club, and I want to thank his agents and Real Madrid for allowing him to play for us until the end of the season."