Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, Jan Oblak has told FourFourTwo that he enjoys the idea of playing in the Premier League one day.
The Slovenian moved to Spain from Benfica in 2014 and has become one of the world’s most sought-after shot-stoppers, helping steer Los Colchoneros to the Champions League final in 2016 and Europa League glory two seasons later.
Oblak kept an incredible 73 clean sheets in his first 125 La Liga matches, and has earned the Ricardo Zamora Trophy – awarded to the keeper with the lowest goals-to-games ratio over an entire Spanish league campaign – in each of the last three years.
ALSO READ: Abramovich wants to sign Icardi for Chelsea
Such form led to a flurry of speculation regarding his future last summer – Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea were all linked with his signature, and the latter were believed to have met the £90 million release clause in Oblak’s Atletico deal which runs until 2021.
The Blues eventually splashed out £71.6m on Athletic Bilbao’s Kepa Arrizabalaga to replace the Real Madrid-bound Thibaut Courtois, a month after Liverpool had spent £67m on Roma stopper Alisson. But Oblak insists he was always happy to remain in Spain, even though the prospect of playing in the Premier League does appeal.
“I didn’t speak with any clubs – my agent and the people at Atletico do those things. I decided to stay as I saw a good project here, and I believe the best way I can win titles is by staying.
“But in the future, everything is possible. In football, things change from one day to another so it’s impossible to say you’re going to be somewhere for many years, because you don’t know. January is here, June is there. Things can change so fast.
ALSO READ: Man Utd fans furious as referee for Spurs game is announced
“The Premier League is interesting. It’s attractive and at some stage I may want to be part of that competition. I can see myself there, but I don’t know when – maybe next year, in two years, five or 10.”