Inter star reveals he was ‘one step away’ from Man Utd
“It's true, there was a Manchester United bid on the table and I was very close to going away from Inter. But in the end I decided to stay and Spalletti's perseverance in keeping me played an important role. In football, small details are the key to such situations.
“The admiration of a coach like Mourinho undoubtedly flatters me, confirming the hard work and the good performances. When you're praised by a coach of a great team like United, it's hard not to think about such an offer.
“A move to the Premier League? Never say never in football. From the beginning of my career I have had the ambition to play in the largest possible number of big leagues. And I still have the desire to test myself in other tournaments, such as Spanish or English. I hope Inter fans can understand my point of view. I am an athlete and I am a professional, I like challenges and this is my driving force. What the future will bring I do not know, now I'm focused on Inter. We are trying to take a step forward even bigger than last season.”
For more news, views and features, visit our homepage.