Southampton wanted Federico Gatti but the £8 million defender turned down the Premier League for Serie A giants Juventus, Frosinone’s sporting director tells Radio Bianconera.
When asked by Robin Gosens had chosen Inter Milan over Newcastle United last week, the Italian’s agent summed it up rather succinctly.
‘Inter is Inter’, he said.
One suspects that Gatti had a similar response when Juventus came calling on transfer deadline day. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton were keen on the 23-year-old centre-half. As were Napoli, AC Milan and Atalanta (Alessio Porcu).
But while they have endured quite the fall from grace in the last 18 months or so – from the dominant force of Italian football to chasing Inter’s coattails – Juventus are still Juventus.
Gatti moved to Turin on the final day of the January transfer window, following in the footsteps of his icon Giorgio Chiellini.
Can Federico Gatti become Juventus’ new Chiellini?
“There were three top Italian clubs, an English club, a French club and a German one,” says Angelozzi, via TMW.
“He chose Juve because you can’t say no to Juve. Juve is Juve! I also sold (Leonardo) Bonucci to Juve. Gatti, physically, is like Chiellini and technically like Leonardo.
“He has to continue playing with the usual wickedness, with hunger and ambition. I’m sure he will go far.
“I have been following him for several years. I wanted to take him to Spezia before. Then I came to Frosinone and brought him here ”
Juventus paid around £6 million up front for Gatti, with a further £2 million in add-ons.
The 6ft 3ins giant, who played for Juve’s city rivals Torino at youth level, will spend the final four months of this season back on loan at Serie B promotion-chasers Frosinone.
Southampton, meanwhile, endured a rather quiet window. Will Armitage, the youngest player in Cheltenham United’s history, was the only new arrival.
The Saints did hold talks with Chelsea starlet Tino Anjorin.
But, as clubs are prohibited from signing two players on loan from the same Premier League club, the England U20 international was placed on the backburner until the summer.
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