FORMER Juventus centre-back Giorgio Chiellini has lifted the lid on his failed transfer to Arsenal in 2001 and says he was a “idiot” to reject the membership.
The ex-Italy worldwide claims the Gunners supplied him a enormous wage when he was simply 16, however felt it could be a betrayal to depart Livorno.
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Arsene Wenger was eager to carry the defender to North London, however Chiellini has revealed he was too loyal to Livorno, a choice he now regrets.
The nine-time Serie A champion has acknowledged that he was supplied a whopping 200million Italian Lira-a-year by Arsenal, which was roughly round £66,000-per-year.
Speaking to So Foot via Goal in February 2021 about his failed transfer, the 38-year-old mentioned: “In hindsight, I was a idiot to decline that offer.
“I was 16, I performed in Serie C, I acquired a enormous offer for slightly below 200 million lira-a-season.
“I did not really feel prepared. If I had accepted, it could have given the impression of betraying Livorno.”
Chiellini would go away the next 12 months for Roma, earlier than linking up with Juventus 15 years in the past.
He obtained 117 caps for Italy earlier than retiring from worldwide soccer earlier this 12 months.
The centre-back then additionally bidded farewell to Juve in the summertime as he joined Los Angeles FC.
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Chiellini might have ended up at Arsenal later in his profession after Robin van Persie revealed he urged Wenger to signal him, nevertheless his plea was ignored.
On the Effe Relativeren Podcast final 12 months, the ex-Gunners skipper mentioned: “At a given second I felt referred to as upon to say what Arsenal might do higher so as to win the league.
“I felt we lacked a profitable mentality, and requested Arsene Wenger to signal Giorgio Chiellini.
“I’ve performed in opposition to him a few instances, and he is a real winner. You might see that when he performed in opposition to Holland a few weeks in the past.
“He is 36-years-old, however he’ll dish out 9 elbows each recreation with a smile on his face. He’ll hold smiling and by no means get a yellow card.
“You want these forms of winners and killers in your facet. I felt we should always get him.”