Serie A defender Armando Izzo has expressed regret at turning down Premier League side Arsenal and Inter Milan earlier in his career.
The centre-back – who has three caps for Italy – is currently on loan at Serie A side Monza from parent club Torino with his career going backwards over the last few seasons.
Arsenal and Inter Milan attempted to sign Izzo after the 2018-19 season with Torino qualifying for the Europa League by finishing in the top seven of Serie A.
But Izzo decided to stay in Turin as he “believed in the project” and wanted to remain there for another season before moving on.
However, the Italian waited too long as interest in his services dried up and Torino failed to get back into Europe the following season.
Izzo told Cronache di Spogliatoio (via Sport Italia): “The year I renewed with Torino, after qualifying for Europe, my former agent and the president Urbano Cairo told me that Arsenal and Conte’s Inter Milan were there. I had feeling for Toro, I believed in the project and I stayed another year. That year, I scored six goals and I didn’t hear from any team.
“I asked myself ‘how is it possible that there is no team?’. Then, after two years, Bremer, with four goals and finishing 10th, he goes to Juventus. My dream was to go to Inter, I’ve never been able to.”
Arsenal’s recruitment has been spot on over the last couple of seasons with Mikel Arteta guiding the Gunners to first place in the Premier League.
Arteta’s side are currently eight points clear of second-placed Manchester City – who have a game in hand – with ten games to play as they search for their first Premier League title win in 20 years.
And they are already planning their pre-season as Arsenal will take on a Major League Soccer All-Stars team managed by Wayne Rooney on July 19 ahead of the new season.
The match is set to take place in Washington DC at Audi Field, the home of DC United, who Rooney has been in charge of since last summer .
Arsenal boss Arteta said: “It’s great that we’re playing against the MLS All-Stars in Washington DC in July.
“Our US tour last summer was very good preparation for the season and we’re looking forward to once again visiting our amazing supporters in the US. The match against the MLS All-Stars will be a good test ahead of the 2023-24 season.”
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