SWEDISH starlet Hugo Larsson revealed how he turned down a move to Cherries in January.

18-year-old Larsson, already capped at senior level by Sweden, was offered the chance to join Cherries last month, with the plan supposedly to loan the midfielder to FC Lorient.

After purchasing Cherries in December, the consortium led by Bill Foley, Black Knight, then purchased a 40 per cent stake in FC Lorient, with a view to moving players between the two clubs.

Speaking to outlet Fotboll Skane in his native Swedish, Larsson shared: “It was hectic for a while and it was quite difficult, but when I made the decision, it immediately felt good.

“I was open to a move, but I said that "If nothing happens, I won't worry about it". 

“I'm really happy to be here, but if something good comes along, I want to test my wings abroad. Now I felt that step did not come. That perfect step.”
The move would have made the most expensive transfer in the history of Malmo, reportedly eclipsing the €8.7 million Ajax paid to sign legendary striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2001.

Larsson admitted the eye-watering money involved was difficult to ignore, with the teenager choosing what he felt best for his development.

He restarted: “That is the difficult part. I tried to close my eyes to the wages. 

“I tried to see the football first and that it should be a reasonable step after the Allsvenskan. 

“I want to be in a team where there is a good chance to take a starting place immediately and come to a club where you are an important player, or can become an important player in the near future. 

“I checked that: that they would have a good plan for me.

“Then I looked at if it's a good place outside of football, but I probably couldn't have complained about that there.”

Apprehensive about the move, Larsson decided to stay put with Malmo, the midfielder believing the step to Cherries being too big whilst also seeing Lorient as not the right fit.

He explained: “Those in the team told me that when you move abroad, it should feel right. 

“You shouldn't have a lump in your stomach. You shouldn't jump at the first best thing.

“This was not quite what I had in mind. Lorient wasn't as good as I hoped, so it wasn't really an option in the end, and going from here to Bournemouth straight away felt like too big a step.

“I have also had people around me who have been clear about that. You have to focus and that kind of thing can only destroy.

“It does no one any good to think about what could have been. I sat and watched Bournemouth against Newcastle and felt a little, but... no. It's over."