Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic has revealed that he could have joined the club as early as 2012.
At the time, Mandzukic had just scored 12 goals for Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, and would go on to join Bayern Munich and then Atletico Madrid before ending up in Turin with Juventus.
“I had been in contact with Juventus before Euro 2012,” claimed the Croatian to Sportske Novosti.
“But then Bayern Munich showed up,” he continued, referring to the €13 million move which brought him to Bavaria.
“Bayern were the best team in the Bundesliga so I went to them, but after three years fate brought me to Juventus.”
Mandzukic also spoke of the admiration he had for the club and its players, and his friendship with Andrea Barzagli.
“I had great respect for the players of Juventus before arriving here,” he said.
“I already knew Barzagli from Wolfsburg, and had met others through matches for my clubs and my country.”
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com