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‘Wanted to return’: Forward linked with Aston Villa and Newcastle was desperate for PL move

Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
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Fabio Borini of AC Milan celebrates after scoring the opening goal during UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between AC Milan and Ludogorets Razgrad at the San Siro on February 22, 2018… (Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

New Karagumrukspor signing Fabio Borini was desperate for a return to England but Aston Villa and West Ham United failed to firm up their alleged interest, the Italian’s agent told Tuttomercatoweb.

Despite spells at Chelsea, Liverpool, Swansea City and Sunderland, the versatile 29-year-old obviously felt that he had unfinished business on British shores.

And, when his contract at AC Milan expired last summer, it looked, for a while at least, that Borini’s dream would become a reality.

In August, Tuttomercatoweb reported that Aston Villa was a potential destination.

West Ham were also linked with a forward who was one of the few bright spots of David Moyes’ grim spell at Sunderland (Calciomercato).

But, after Villa and West Ham decided against offering Borini a return to the UK, he instead jetted out to Turkey in an attempt to get his career back on track.

“Fabio wanted to return to play in England,” said agent Roberto di Fanti, who claims Borini rejected a host of Serie A clubs as he waited for a Premier League offer.

“The reasons for him refusing teams like Hellas Verona, Genoa, Benevento and Udinese have been misrepresented because (the reasons) were neither of an economic nor professional nature.

“He had only the personal will to return to England with his family.”

Borini has now linked up with former AC Milan teammate Lucas Biglia at Karagumrukspor, who sealed promotion to the Super Lig last season.

TMW claimed that Newcastle and Crystal Palace were also interested but also failed to make a serious offer.

Brendan Rodgers gives instructions to Fabio Borini (Reuters)