• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Italy international defender admits he regrets snubbing Arsenal, Inter Milan moves

Home> Football

Published 16:08 24 Mar 2023 GMT

Italy international defender admits he regrets snubbing Arsenal, Inter Milan moves

An Italy international has revealed his regret over not pursuing a move to Arsenal or Inter Milan.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Transfers, Inter Milan, Torino

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Italy international defender Armando Izzo has opened up on his decision to reject a transfer in 2019, with Arsenal and Inter Milan both wanting to sign him.

The 31-year-old, who currently plays for Monza on loan from fellow Serie A side Torino, used to be regularly linked with a move to the Premier League.

West Ham scouted the centre-back in 2018 when he was at Genoa and were said to be interested in signing him, but Torino ensured that Izzo remained in the Italian top division.

Advert

His form for the club resulted in a maiden call-up to the Italy senior squad in the following year, and he has received three caps for his country - all in 2019.

That year, he was also linked with a move to the Gunners, who were on the lookout for defensive reinforcements.

Then under the management of Unai Emery, Arsenal had to cope with the sudden departure of long-serving centre-back Laurent Koscielny, who informed the club that he wanted to leave during pre-season.

Advert

They went on to sign David Luiz from Chelsea, before sealing a loan deal for Spain defender Pablo Mari in the January transfer window after Mikel Arteta took charge.

Mari is now playing alongside Izzo at Monza, on loan from Arsenal, and looks set to complete a permanent deal to the Italian side this summer.

Izzo's future is unclear - but he has now opened up about one of his a potential move that failed in the past.

Izzo on failed Arsenal move

Speaking in an interview with Italian outlet Cronache di Spogliatoio, the 31-year-old revealed that he agreed to stay at Torino after his first season after they qualified for Europe, despite interest from Arsenal and Inter Milan.

Advert

But despite another solid season after that, he said that the interest dried up the following summer - leaving him with a major regret.

Izzo explained (quotes 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 [Antonio] 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?'

Advert

"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."

Choose your content:

27 mins ago
11 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • 27 mins ago

    Wayne Rooney lands new job as eye-watering 'salary revealed'

    The former Everton, Manchester United and England forward has coached and worked in the media since his retirement from playing.

    Football
  • 11 hours ago

    Erik ten Hag to get rid of Bayer Leverkusen player for the second time after selling him to the club while in charge of Man Utd

    Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag looks poised to get rid of the same player for two different clubs.

    Football
  • 12 hours ago

    Fans lose their minds and say 'announce Yamal' after Barcelona superstar spotted in Premier League club's shirt

    Lamine Yamal sent fans wild this week after being seen in an iconic English football shirt.

    Football
  • 12 hours ago

    Sir Alex Ferguson ripped into former Man Utd star for what he allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to do

    Sir Alex Ferguson lectured the former Manchester United player following the incident with Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Football
  • What happened when Inter Milan arrived back in Italy after losing 5-0 to PSG in the Champions League final is brutal
  • Italian media make their feelings clear on Kyle Walker after he makes AC Milan debut against Inter Milan
  • Inter Milan manager reveals tactic he used to try and stop Lamine Yamal as he makes stunning statement
  • Mikel Arteta completely loses it after Arsenal's loss to Inter Milan and slams the officials