Fabio Capello has revealed his Roma side were close to signing Giorgio Chiellini but Juventus intervened and wrapped up the deal quickly.
The Italy defender played his final home match for the Bianconeri after 17 years at the club in which he won nine Serie A titles.
Capello managed Chiellini during his first season with the Old Lady in 2005-06 but said he almost signed him earlier at Roma.
“Chiellini should have joined Roma when I managed them,” Capello said as a pundit on Sky Sport following the defensive stalwarts final Juve home match against Lazio.
“He played a reserve match against Roma with Livorno. I went to watch him and he was a Roma player.
“But [director Luciano] Moggi was much quicker and took him to Juventus.”
Chiellini briefly spent time with Roma at youth level but began his professional career with Livorno in 2000.
The Giallorossi came back in for him in the 2003-04 campaign – Capello’s last with the club – but the Tuscan side side agreed a joint-ownership deal with Juve which kept him at Livorno for another season.
🔴 #Capello commenta l'addio alla #Juventus di #Chiellini
🗣️ "Sarebbe dovuto venire alla #Roma, ma #Moggi fu più svelto"
👇 Le parole dell'ex tecnico #ASRoma https://t.co/eqZmQ0UkQ1— SiamolaRoma.it (@siamo_la_Roma) May 17, 2022