Former Serie A star explains why Liverpool and Arsenal transfers collapsed

Former Serie A star Amauri reveals Liverpool and Arsenal could not sign him because of ‘bureaucratic issues’, but José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti had also set their sights on him.

Former Juventus, Parma, and Chievo striker Amauri spoke about his career as a footballer in his latest interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

Scorer of 85 goals in 336 appearances, Brazil-born Amauri chose to play for Italy in 2010, but only made one appearance with the Azzurri.

The 45-year-old has an Italian passport and has built a solid bond with the Peninsula.

“Nobody wanted me in Brazil. Italy and the Viareggio Tournament changed my life,” he said.

“It was the year 2000. I was 19 and I had promised myself that if it didn’t work out that time either, I’d go back home and give it all up. My family needed help, and I couldn’t waste any more time.”

When did he understand that he’d become a player worthy of Serie A?

“I’d say during my second year at Chievo. I was dominant,” Amauri replied.

“From there, people started to look at me differently. Imagine, even Liverpool and Arsenal called me.”

However, a move to England never materialised due to “bureaucratic issues.”

“At the time, I was a non-EU player, and they couldn’t sign me,” Amauri explained.

“It would have been amazing to play at Anfield, under the Kop.”

At the peak of his career, Amauri even earned comparisons with Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.

“Tue, I was scoring in every possible way and was one of the best strikers in Serie A,” said the ex-striker.

“Even Didier told me that. We met in London before the match, and he told me that he followed me and admired me. He had read in the papers that in Italy they compared me to him.”

Amauri played for Chievo and Palermo before joining Juventus in 2008, but had offers from other Serie A clubs as well.

“Baldini, Spalletti’s assistant, told me that I’d be perfect to play alongside Totti [at Roma]. And Francesco himself would be happy. Milan also wanted me; Ancelotti had put me at the top of his list as Inzaghi’s successor.”

The ex-Italy international went on to play for two and a half years at Juventus before joining Parma on loan in January 2011.

Juventus was a “wonderful world, different,” said Amauri.

“There was a winning culture that’s hard to explain. I played in a star-studded attack with Trezeguet, Del Piero and Iaquinta. I have beautiful memories, above all, that win against Real Madrid. I scored the second goal, a dream come true.”

The former striker said that he could have even joined Real Madrid: “It was Mourinho’s wish. Through Bronzetti, he let me know that he wanted me at Real Madrid. But you know, I was playing at Juventus. I was happy there, so I didn’t think about it.”

Amauri eventually joined Fiorentina in 2012 as he was no longer part of  Juventus’ plans, and then returned to Parma in 2012.

“Juventus had other ideas. The people who brought me to Turin were no longer there. It was a decision made by the club, even if Conte liked me. He pulled me aside and said: ‘For me, everyone starts from zero. Fight for your place.’ Let’s just say I was never given the chance. I ended up out of the squad, training with the kids. A bad ending.

“It was a call from Crespo that convinced me to accept Parma’s offer. He told me: ‘If you come, we’ll save this team.’ And that’s exactly what happened. I scored a lot, and we avoided a relegation that seemed inevitable. I had even earned my place back in the national team. Prandelli had called me. It’s a shame about that injury against Udinese.”