Hertha Berlin striker Salomon Kalou admits Aston Villa wanted to sign him last week.

Kalou revealed the move emerged via Villa assistant manager John Terry, his former Chelsea teammate.

"My good friend John Terry called me. He is an assistant there. At Chelsea he was my captain. I wanted to play under him," Kalou told Voetbal International.

However, the work permit was too big an obstacle.

"We tried until the last minute, but I am not European and no longer play for the national team. That was the problem.

"Now I hope I can train with the squad again next week. Maybe I'll score the decisive goal against Mainz."