Carlos Bacca insists Milan Coach Gennaro Gattuso and director Leonardo “wanted me to stay, but I’d already decided” on Villarreal.
The striker spent last season on loan at Villarreal and finally made the move permanent in an exchange deal with Samu Castillejo.
“Right from the start of the World Cup training camp, I felt this desire to come back to what I considered to be my home,” said the Colombia international in his Press conference.
Carlos Bacca insists Milan Coach Gennaro Gattuso and director Leonardo “wanted me to stay, but I’d already decided” on Villarreal.
The striker spent last season on loan at Villarreal and finally made the move permanent in an exchange deal with Samu Castillejo.
“Right from the start of the World Cup training camp, I felt this desire to come back to what I considered to be my home,” said the Colombia international in his Press conference.
“I had many offers from clubs who are in the Champions League, but Villarreal is what I and my family wanted. I have finally found my level again at this club, while my children said they would’ve remained in Spain even if I had gone to Italy as a Milan player.”
Although Bacca’s exit was widely expected, he insists the Rossoneri were eager to keep him at San Siro.
“I could’ve stayed at Milan, as I had that option. Gattuso and Leonardo wanted me to stay, the Coach said he’d work with me, that he considered me a player in his squad and was against my departure.
“He made me feel important, but the decision to leave was already done and dusted. I will say that Milan are doing the right things, they now have a Coach that says things to your face and they’ll get back to winning ways.”
This was one final dig at Vincenzo Montella, the tactician with whom Bacca repeatedly clashed the previous season.