Camacho opens up about aborted West Brom move "Al-Thani insisted that I stayed"

Ignacio Camacho explained the sequence of events which leg to his proposed 18 million euro move to West Bromwich Albion collapsing on deadline day. Camacho was on the verge of joining the Baggies

“It's easier to understand than you might imagine", the midfielder said. "There was an offer from West Brom - quite a substantial offer, so I informed the club. Málaga felt that the offer was not enough and I was in agreement. I've always felt that if I were ever to leave this club, it would be on a high note - not under a cloud. That's all. West Brom's offer was good for Málaga and good for me but the club was prepared to fight to get the highest price for me. Negotiations then broke down and that was the end of it. I want to make it clear that I am the happiest man in the world here. I feel valued here. The whole episode was more worrying for my family than for me - and my team mates thought it was hilarious; they'd say 'haven't you gone yet?'".

Camacho denied that the operation depending on him giving the go-ahead. "Al-Thani didn't want me to leave under any circumstances.I've spent six years here and while this whole episode hasn't gone well with some of the fans, during those six years they have had no reason to doubt me or what I have given to defend this club. I'm one of the captains and I've lived through many great times with the fans", the player said.

West Brom were not the only club to show an interest - Leicester, Monaco, Liverpool and Valencia had also put out their feelers. “I'm not going to kid you - West Brom came in with a decent offer, an interesting proposal. They are going to invest in players. It's the Premier League... and would have been a brand new experience. I never said that I am definitely going, but I am very grateful and honoured by their offer because it was a very good one".

Málaga

• España

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