Antonio Barreca’s agent reveals there was “an extremely important offer from Roma” for the Torino full-back.
The 22-year-old is seen as one of the most promising young Italian defenders, and was repeatedly linked with a move away from the Granata this summer.
“The transfer rumours weren’t just rumours,” Marcello Bonetto revealed in an interview with ToroNews.
Antonio Barreca’s agent reveals there was “an extremely important offer from Roma” for the Torino full-back.
The 22-year-old is seen as one of the most promising young Italian defenders, and was repeatedly linked with a move away from the Granata this summer.
“The transfer rumours weren’t just rumours,” Marcello Bonetto revealed in an interview with ToroNews.
“There was a concrete, genuine and extremely important offer from Roma. To be the focus of attention from a club like that and a Coach like [Eusebio] Di Francesco, who specifically asked for him, can only be pleasing.
“He’s also happy to stay at Torino though, we know Antonio is the subject of great affection from the fans. Being the first lad to come through from youth team to first team in a while is part of that.
“Staying is no problem for Antonio, indeed it will be a further year of maturation and that can only help him.
“Roma’s interest and staying at Torino are both things which make us happy. I think the Granata appreciated both his behaviour and mine, we didn’t want to interfere with their choices despite big financial incentives.
“It wasn’t just Roma, other clubs contacted us, both Italian and foreign. German, English, French Spanish… in the end though Torino’s choice is the logical continuation of a technical and professional journey.
“The negotiation with Roma was obviously supported by both clubs, but I can’t perfectly clarify the dynamics at play.
“My reference point is [sporting director Gianluca] Petrachi, we were always kept up to date on the situation.
“Could he join the Giallorossi later? Who knows, first of all there’d have to be a new offer from Roma and Torino would have to be willing to sell.
“At the moment Roma have taken [Aleksandar] Kolarov, a great player, and Emerson Palmieri is back. The technical situation is different to two months ago and I can’t predict the future.
“Now he’s only focused on Torino.”