It is very difficult in the transfer market for the teams that need to improve their squads.
When I played for Hannover I had several offers, also - as I have been told - from Hamburg, Bremen and Bayern. Back then I already was a German international and Bayern would have loved to have the complete German national team.
It was a great time working at Reading, especially the first season getting very close to going to the Premier League.
There was an offer from Tottenham when I was leaving Spain to go to Milan, and at the time, I chose to go to Milan because of their history and tradition in the world of football.
The main factor in joining Arsenal was meeting with Arsene Wenger and to hear what his plans were for me.
OK, so I never had a transfer in my career, but I used to love deadline day: Dimitar Berbatov turning up at Manchester airport with hours to go, Robinho coming to Manchester City instead of Chelsea.
Liverpool are a massive club with a big history that has won many trophies over the years, and as soon as I was told of the possibility to come here, and I knew the manager wanted me, I said yes.
That is the issue with signing young players from other big European football nations - at some point, they will want to go home.
From the moment I first spoke with him, I knew that I wanted to join Liverpool. I fell for Klopp - hook, line, and sinker.
For a big club, you can accept that the team does not win the league because it is in transition, but you cannot afford to slip out of the Champions League spot.
I'm very happy at Everton; it's a very good club with very good structure. The fans love the club and the players.
When a club has €200m left on its transfer budget in the final days of the transfer period, why shouldn't they make a higher bid when their initial €70m bid has been rejected?
Juventus rejected an offer from Barcelona for me. It was a big offer, and that means I'm an important player for the club, and I have to thank them for that.
Nowadays, it's hard to know if a player really deserves the money spent on him, because transfer values are high.
If Monaco retain the ambition of winning trophies in France and Europe - and that's why I came here - I will be delighted to stay.
We know the transfer market is not an easy period for players, for their minds, for their preparations, too, for their bodies.
You can take a sidewards step in the Premier League, go to a team in the Championship or come to a team in League One.
People think that because I was at Liverpool for such a long time - in a period where the club was very successful - that it was bliss all the way.
The wrong team wanted me, by the way - of course United. I spoke with Van Gaal, and they even made an offer, but for me, it was not the right club and not the right moment.
I've not got a bad word to say about City. If they want you and sign you, then they have got intent for you.
When you hear Liverpool want you, you call your agent back in about five seconds.
I was very close to joining Manchester United.
I'm delighted to extend my contract and commitment to Paris Saint-Germain.
I was very excited about the possibility of playing for Spurs and in England. I would like to thank the club for their efforts in trying to sign me.
As soon as I knew Liverpool were interested in me, I knew I wanted to come here. It was everything about the club, the history and these players.
