Leandro Paredes explains he joined Zenit St Petersburg because “Roma needed money” but “immediately vetoed a sale in Italy”.
The midfielder made the move to Russia in the summer, joining Roberto Mancini’s side for €23m.
“Roma needed money but immediately vetoed a sale in Italy,” Paredes told Gazzetta dello Sport’s Extra Time supplement.
“They only wanted me to go abroad so as not to reinforce their rivals. Zenit’s offer was presented to me and I had no doubts about accepting it.
Leandro Paredes explains he joined Zenit St Petersburg because “Roma needed money” but “immediately vetoed a sale in Italy”.
The midfielder made the move to Russia in the summer, joining Roberto Mancini’s side for €23m.
“Roma needed money but immediately vetoed a sale in Italy,” Paredes told Gazzetta dello Sport’s Extra Time supplement.
“They only wanted me to go abroad so as not to reinforce their rivals. Zenit’s offer was presented to me and I had no doubts about accepting it.
“I always appreciated their great desire to get me, that’s very important for a player.
“Roberto Mancini? We’re talking about a great Coach, and he was a determinative factor in my decision.”
Paredes was then asked about his former club, as well as Inter Coach Luciano Spalletti.
“The last few results haven’t all been positive but everything is still on the line in the League and the Champions League.
“The team is strong and will recover even more, they have the quality to overturn the 2-1 at home to Shakhtar.
“Spalletti’s Inter? It’s a similar discourse, they started really well and then had this sudden drop. The team has good potential though, they’ll be back too.
“I know Spalletti well, he’s a great Coach with a lot of personality.”