AC Milan were ‘close to a total agreement’ for the signing of midfielder Jordan Veretout this summer, a report claims.
We reported back in July that Veretout was a major target for the Rossoneri and in particular the then head coach Marco Giampaolo.
However, he ended up completing a move to Roma on loan with an obligation to buy set at €17million, and that was the asking price that Fiorentina quoted Milan too.
According to Calciomercato.com, Paolo Maldini and Zvonimir Boban held talks with Fiorentina and with the player’s entourage.
The report adds that it was not just enquiries but in fact well-established discourse, and Giampaolo was determined to bring him to Milan.
However, the Frenchman eventually decided to move to the capital and revealed why upon joining.
“Why Rome and not Milan? I talked on the phone with Fonseca and his words convinced me. I wanted to come here, it’s a step forward in my career. The coach’s speech influenced me.”
Milan ‘came close to an agreement both with Fiorentina and with the player’, the report adds, but eventually Roma’s charm proved to be the deciding factor.
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