Cesc Fabregas has admitted he could have moved to Real Madrid in the past in an interview with Marca.
The Spaniard has started the season for Chelsea in disappointing fashion as the Blues struggles in their defence of their Premier League crown.
However, it could well have been different for Fabregas, who secured a return to England last summer following his big money move from Barcelona.
The 28-year-old came through the Barcelona ranks before moving to Arsenal in 2003, yet has revealed he came close to moving Madrid.
"Well, there were contacts over several years and with different presidents," Fabregas said when quizzed if he was ever close to moving to Madrid.
"An agreement was never concluded. There were things, but there was no final agreement.
"It lacked the forward step."
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