Former Internazionale goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca has revealed that Manchester United wanted to sign him in 1997 but former Inter president blocked the transfer. He also revealed that he was also approached by Aston Villa in 1999, but he was happy to stay in Italy.
“In 1997, when I returned to the national team, Manchester United asked about me,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“It’s not that I said no, it was Moratti saying: ‘Pagliuca doesn’t move’.
“Then in 1999, Aston Villa came for me, but also Deportivo la Coruna in Spain, who then won La Liga. I have no regrets, top players started to come, for example, Ronaldo.”
“I made my debut on May 8, on my dad’s birthday,” he said. “I won the UEFA Cup with Inter in Pairs, the Coppa Italia with Sampdoria.”
The former Italy international started his professional senior career at Sampdoria. He joined Inter in 1994 and made 234 appearances with the Nerazzurri keeping 82 clean sheets. He helped Inter win the UEFA Cup in 1997-98. But, he won most of his titles with Sampdoria, winning three Coppa Italia, one Serie A, one Supercoppa and one UEFA Cup Winners Cup. He is currently working as a goalkeeping coach of Bologna U19 team.
There are reports of Serie A restarting this summer and Pagliuca understands if players are a bit scared of the league’s resumption.
“If I were a footballer, I would be a bit scared. I would resume in September, certainly with the hope that in the meantime they’ll be able to find a cure for Covid-19.
“But in my heart, I hope the championship will restart, seriously. I miss football matches on the Sunday, or the Saturday. Our games in the spring, or the Premier League, which I love.” Pagliuca said
