Andrea Pirlo has revealed that he could have joined Barcelona as part of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s transfer to Milan in 2010.
Ibrahimovic left Barca for Milan after just one season, but according to Pirlo, he was being considered as a makeweight in the deal that took the striker to San Siro.
“With Barcelona, there were negotiations for Ibrahimovic and I was going to be the player heading in the opposite direction,” the 38-year-old told Sky Sport Italia.
Andrea Pirlo has revealed that he could have joined Barcelona as part of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s transfer to Milan in 2010.
Ibrahimovic left Barca for Milan after just one season, but according to Pirlo, he was being considered as a makeweight in the deal that took the striker to San Siro.
“With Barcelona, there were negotiations for Ibrahimovic and I was going to be the player heading in the opposite direction,” the 38-year-old told Sky Sport Italia.
“In the end, it was resolved with only Ibra joining Milan. It would’ve certainly been a good experience, but I was happy at Milan. I’ll never know if I would’ve accepted the move.”
Pirlo then discussed how Milan were faring under Gennaro Gattuso, who played alongside the former Juventus man between 2001 and 2011.
“Gattuso? Grit aside, I saw a Milan side that were more organised against Crotone than in the first few games and played with good ideas,” he added.
“They had a lot of chances. I saw a team that were alive. It was important to get a result after Fiorentina and the derby.
“Now they have time to work. I’d be happy if Rino continued like this.”