Udinese skipper Florian Thauvin admits playing for Milan would be a ‘dream’ as he makes an admission about long-gone interest from the Rossoneri. During a comprehensive interview with Calciomercato, the French veteran claimed Paolo Maldini tried to take him to Stadio San Siro after the end of his second episode at Olympique Marseille in 2021.
“After eight years at Marseille, I was mentally tired. I needed to take a break and do something different. OM had offered me another five-year contract, and then Lyon called me. I had spoken with Giuntoli, who was at Napoli, with Maldini, who wanted me at AC Milan, the team that would have been and still is my dream,” Thauvin said.
“Even Atletico Madrid wanted me. But after Covid, all the clubs were in a difficult economic situation, while a really important offer had arrived from Mexico. I also felt the need to be closer to my family. My son Alessio was just one year old.“
Instead of joining Milan, Thauvin made a strange choice. He moved across the Atlantic Ocean to link up with Mexican outfit Tigres UANL. However, he returned to Europe in January 2023, penning an unexpected two-and-a-half-year contract at Udinese.
Thauvin’s side will lock horns with Milan when Serie A returns to action next weekend. Paulo Fonseca’s men can ill-afford another slip-up following an odd 2-1 defeat at Fiorentina on the stroke of October’s international break.
But Milan will meet a stubborn Udinese side, capable of causing problems to more esteemed rivals, as evidenced by their impressive performance in a 3-2 home loss to Inter in late September.
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