"I remember when I was 20 years old in 1998 I had dinner once with Wenger from Arsenal, Then when I was at Parma, Manchester United definitely had their eyes on me for a long time with Ferguson. Let's say that the most serious and direct approach I had was from Manchester City. They wanted to start their adventure by signing two or three more renowned players and I was one of them. That was 2007 or 2008 roughly. However, nothing came of it for various reasons."