Inter new-boy Georgios Vagiannidis has claimed Manchester City contacted him before he signed a four-year deal with the Nerazzurri: “I’m going there to claim a place in the first-team squad.”
The 18-year-old right-back revealed he was thrilled by Inter’s interest and couldn’t stay calm until the contract with the Beneamata was signed.
Inter new-boy Georgios Vagiannidis has claimed Manchester City contacted him before he signed a four-year deal with the Nerazzurri: “I’m going there to claim a place in the first-team squad.”
The 18-year-old right-back revealed he was thrilled by Inter’s interest and couldn’t stay calm until the contract with the Beneamata was signed.
“Until I signed the contract, I was never sure,” Vagiannidis told SempreInter.com “At first it seemed and sounded unbelievable, but when I signed, when everything was sorted out, only then did I believe what had happened and I calmed down.
“This year, throughout the process of negotiating and searching for a new club, I had head so much. About so many different teams being interested, so I didn’t want to get too excited about Inter.
“I didn’t want to be disappointed if it didn’t work out or something would go wrong.”
The youngster has ambitions ahead of his move to San Siro and claims he’s ready to fight for a place in Antonio Conte’s starting XI.
“To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t even discuss leaving Panathinaikos, where I had an offer in my hands to renew the contract there, in order to leave and play for a youth team somewhere else.
“What I realised in my talks with Inter’s officials, is that I’m going to be a part of the first team. I’m going there to claim a spot in the squad.”
He admitted that he had spoken to many European sides and confirmed that Pep Guardiola’s City had been in contact.
“Monaco were very serious and at some point we were very close to a deal. Manchester City had indeed approached me, we discussed, it’s true.
“LASK Linz were also very persistent and they showed that they really wanted me. In general, there was interest from many teams.
“Even after I knew about Inter’s proposal, I received enquiries from at least 10 more clubs. But there was nothing to discuss anymore. In my mind, I had only Inter.”