Parma chief Tommaso Ghirardi has revealed how he tried to get Juventus” data-scaytid=”4″>Juventus to sign Giuseppe Rossi four years ago for just €5m.
Juve are chasing the Italian international this summer and are reportedly close to agreeing a €27m deal with Villarreal.
Parma chief Tommaso Ghirardi has revealed how he tried to get Juventus to sign Giuseppe Rossi four years ago for just €5m.
Juve are chasing the Italian international this summer and are reportedly close to agreeing a €27m deal with Villarreal.
However, speaking to Tuttosport, Ghirardi has confirmed that the Turin giants had a chance to net the striker in 2007 after his loan stint at Parma came to an end.
"I offered [Manchester United] €8m for him, but Villarreal got him for €10m-€11m," the Tardini chief noted.
"I was right four years ago when I wanted to sign him, but the problem was that his asking price was too high.
"I knocked on all of the doors at the big Italian clubs, offering a co-ownership deal, but the only interested side were Roma who then had to decline.
"I went to Turin. I was warmly welcomed by [former director general Jean-Claude] Blanc, but he and his collaborators didn't think investing in Rossi was right.
"I couldn't pay what United wanted for Rossi, but we and another Italian club could have signed him for €5m each."
Rossi joined Parma on loan in January 2007 and his nine goals in 19 League games helped save the club from relegation.
It now seems that he is set for a return to Serie A with the Old Lady.
"Rossi would be a great signing for Italian football and he will certainly make the Juve fans happy," added the Parma President.