Nottingham Forest midfielder Remo Freuler recalled the difficulty of leaving Italian football and confirmed that talks were held with Roma before his move to England. 

The 30-year-old Swiss midfielder spent six and a half years with Atalanta before leaving for Forest in a deal worth around €9m last summer. Freuler is currently competing at the World Cup in Qatar with Switzerland and he scored the winner in their 3-2 victory over Serbia, booking their spot in the Round of 16.

Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, Freuler first discussed his decision to leave Italy for the Premier League in the summer.

“It wasn’t an easy decision. In Bergamo I was at home, I felt part of a family, I still have many friends at Atalanta and off the pitch. 

“But after seven years I felt the need to change. I was born in 1992, I’m not a kid anymore, I believed the time was right.”

He then commented on the suggestion that Serie A was less competitive than the Premier League or other leagues around Europe.

“I don’t think so. Just look at the Champions League, three out of four teams qualified for the Round of 16. We still play at a high level in Italy. I made a well-considered choice, but perhaps others would have preferred other paths.”

Finally, Freuler discussed if any other teams were in for him before he signed for Nottingham Forest in the summer.

“Mah, it’s possible. Roma? There are always market rumours. And maybe yes, with them there was something. But until you put pen to paper in football there is nothing concrete.”

During his six and a half years with Atalanta, Freuler made 260 appearances across all competitions, scoring 12 goals and providing 23 assists. 

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