Sardar Azmoun has said he made the right decision to stay at Russian club FC Rostov despite interest from clubs including Liverpool during the January window.
In November, sources told ESPN FC that Liverpool were among a host of clubs monitoring the situation of the Iran international forward.
A source close to the player said Azmoun would have been keen on a move to Liverpool depending on the role earmarked for him.
At the time, the Anfield club were short of options in the final third amid injuries and Sadio Mane's participation at the African Nations Cup.
But Azmoun said he felt he would have deputised for those absentees and then played a bit-part role.
"There was talk of Liverpool having expressed an interest in me during the winter transfer window," Azmoun told the Qatar Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy website.
"However, I did not feel the time to move was right.
"I would have ended up playing a few games and then spent a great deal of time on the bench as Liverpool were only looking to fill a void for a particular part of their season."
He said that he wanted to move to "a big club" in order to develop as a player but would "time the move with great precision."
"I am sure I will be playing for a top European club in the near future," he added.
Speaking in 2015, Azmoun said his "main goal" was to play in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old has made 27 appearances for Rostov this season, scoring seven goals.
