Liverpool playmaker Fabio Carvalho has revealed why he rejected offers from Manchester United and Chelsea several years ago. The 21-year-old playmaker eventually joined Fulham in 2014 after being heavily scouted by the Premier League heavyweight duo.

Carvalho arrived at Anfield back in 2022 after Liverpool paid around $6.3million (€5.9m/£5m) to Fulham to secure his talents. The Portuguese U21 international had risen through the ranks at Craven Cottage and sparked the interest of the Reds.

However, things have not gone to plan for Carvalho since signing for Liverpool. He showed promise in the 2022/23 season, scoring two goals across his 13 appearances in the top flight of English football - but failed to nail a regular spot in the senior squad under Jürgen Klopp.

In search of regular game time, Carvalho was sent out on loan to German side RB Leipzig to kickstart the 2023/24. A move which again, didn't go to plan. He made just one start in the Bundesliga and was recalled in the New Year, before then joining Championship side Hull City.

It was at the MKM Stadium that he would recapture his finest form. Carvalho tallied nine goals and two assists in his 20 appearances for the Tigers, which sadly wasn't enough to secure a spot in the playoffs for his side. Despite this, Carvalho is now reflecting on his journey in football, which ultimately began by rejecting the offers from both United and Chelsea as a teenager.

Speaking to the ECHO about the approaches from the two teams, Carvalho said: “So United came down. It was around the same time I was getting scouted by Fulham and just having fun playing Sunday League.

“United came down and offered me a contract but I just didn’t think it was the right thing for me to do, to move away from my family there and then.

“So then it came down to Chelsea and Fulham. I remember going to Chelsea and did a few sessions with them. Michael Olise was there, Jamal Musiala was there. So a few players like that were there, and I remember these were very good back then anyway!

“But then Fulham came calling. They offered me schooling which was very important for my parents, and I think that’s what kind of sealed the deal.

“I was going to the Fulham squad and getting more training, it just made more sense. It all turned out how it turned out and I’m thankful for that.”