Renato Sanches has admitted that he never wanted to sign for Swansea City whilst reflecting on his spell at the Liberty Stadium.

Bayern Munich swooped to sign the midfielder from Benfica for a reported fee of €35m in 2016, after establishing himself as one of the most exciting talents in world football.

But after spending only a year at the Allianz Arena, Sanches was sent out on loan to Swansea City in a transfer deal that shocked many football fans around the world.

The Swans looked to have pulled off a real coup when signing Sanches on loan for the 2017/18 campaign, but he made only nine starting appearances in the Premier League as the Welsh side were relegated.

Now plying his trade over in France for Lille, 22-year-old Sanches has opened up on what was a dismal spell in South Wales, admitting that he never even wanted to sign for the club.

Can you get full marks on this Swansea quiz?

In an interview with French media outlet L'Equipe, Sanches said: "It was not my choice to go to Swansea. I was forced to go there.

"I didn’t want to go. I have respect for the club, the players, all the people I met there. I appreciated their humility. They gave me everything, but I did not want to be there.

"The most difficult moment? When I was injured, I couldn’t train. It was the descent; you can’t feel the motivation any more. At the time, I no longer felt this strength."

Swansea have recovered well since they were relegated from the top-flight, and after a 3-1 win over Huddersfield Town at the weekend, Steve Cooper's side sit ninth in the Championship, five points off the play-offs.

The Verdict

I was as surprised as anybody when Sanches signed for Swansea. He was one of the most exciting talents in the world at that time.

But he really failed to get to grips with the Premier League and English football, and quite frankly, he didn't look bothered whenever he played.

He's now found a home in France and is back to his best, but his spell in South Wales was one for all associated with the club to forget.