Kevin Mirallas has claimed he was forced out of Everton this summer.
Mirallas joined Fiorentina on a season-long loan following six years in the first-team at Goodison Park but had fallen out of favour in recent months.
The Belgium international hit the headlines as both he and Blues teammate Morgan Schneiderlin were accused of leaving a training session early.
Scheiderlin recovered from the fallout to reclaim a starring role but Mirallas subsequently returned to former club Olympiakos for a brief spell.
Hopes of a renaissance under Marco Silva never materialised for the 30-year-old, who claims that Tottenham had also expressed an interest in signing him.
“Yes, it’s true – I considered my journey in Liverpool to be over,” Mirallas told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I looked for a new challenge. Tottenham also courted me. The charm of the Premier League, the possibility to play Champions League football, new emotions.
“Instead, nothing. I was saddened. I couldn’t play football without feeling happy, and for a long time the real Mirallas hadn’t been seen on the pitch.
“Fiorentina arrived at the right moment and in order not to put the deal in jeopardy I accepted a reduced salary. I gave up on a lot of money but I’m happy.
“In Serie A, I will rediscover my love of playing football. The great times will come back again.
“I can’t wait for my debut. I have been curbed by some annoying physical problems but that’s all sorted now. Next, I want to rediscover my game.
“That will allow me to contest for a place in the side and also for the Belgian national team.”