Filip Kostic insists that he always preferred a move to Serie A giants Juventus despite being linked with Premier League strugglers West Ham United throughout much of the summer, speaking to Sky Sports Italia.
As the Hammers drudged off to a chorus of boos on Sunday – a 2-0 home defeat to Brighton making it no wins, no points and no goals during their worst start to a season since the 1970s – Kostic could have been forgiven for wondering if he’d dodged a bullet.
West Ham made a £15 million bid for the Serbian speed-freak (Sky). But Kostic always had his sights set on Juventus, despite the prospect of an eye-watering £120,000-a-week contract at the London Stadium.
West Ham United missed out to Juventus for Filip Kostic
“I did not personally follow the negotiations. But I wanted to come to Juventus and I did everything to come here,” Kostic said when quizzed specifically about West Ham’s interest.
“(Serbia and now Juve team-mate) Dusan Vlahovic told me he would be happy to see me at Juve. He told me many wonderful things about the club. And when I arrived here, I had confirmation of everything.
“I have followed Juve since I was little, as well as all of Serie A. My job is to provide the best balls to the strikers. I am here to be at the disposal of the coach and the team.”
A Vlahovic-Kostic partnership at the Allianz Stadium will strike fear into the heart of many a Serie A defender. After all, only two players in Europe’s major leagues have set up more goals than Kostic in the last four seasons; Thomas Muller and, of course, one Lionel Messi..
West Ham, meanwhile, are set to bring in an alternative to Kostic in the coming days. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Hammers have agreed a £13 million fee with Chelsea for Brazil international Emerson Palmieri.
Maxwel Cornet can also play in the left-wing back role, presuming David Moyes plans to utilise with a 3-4-2-1 formation.
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