Juventus general manager Beppe Marotta has explained why he chose to pull out of a deal to sign Sao Paulo starlet Lucas Piazon and let the player join Chelsea.

The 17-year-old is widely regarded as one of the most exciting young talents to emerge in Brazil and was flown to Turin for extensive talks with Juventus earlier this season.

However, Juventus were accused of letting Piazon slip through their fingers when it became apparent that Chelsea had agreed a deal worth £5.3m to take the player to Stamford Bridge.

Juventus general manager Beppe Marotta has explained why he chose to pull out of a deal to sign Sao Paulo starlet Lucas Piazon and let the player join Chelsea.

The 17-year-old is widely regarded as one of the most exciting young talents to emerge in Brazil and was flown to Turin for extensive talks with Juventus earlier this season.

However, Juventus were accused of letting Piazon slip through their fingers when it became apparent that Chelsea had agreed a deal worth £5.3m to take the player to Stamford Bridge.

The crux of the matter appears to settle on Juventus' refusal to meet Piazon's wage demands. It's thought that he will earn €1m a year at Chelsea despite being relatively unproven.

Quoted in Tuttosport, Marotta said: "I am honoured not to have signed Piazon in these conditions.

"It wouldn't have been ethical to give a minor an annual salary worth €1m. What would the other youngsters with whom he'd be playing think, youngsters who have yet to sign a professional contract?

"It's hypocritical to claim that footballers earn too much and then criticise our behaviour in these circumstances," he concluded.

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