Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio’s agent has revealed that the Italian turned down a move to Liverpool to join the Old Lady last summer.
The former Monza No.1 joined Thiago Motta’s side for £12million and proved to be a bargain.
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Di Gregorio, who was named Serie A goalkeeper for the 2023/24 season between the sticks at Monza, has continued his excellent performances.
His most recent was against Manchester City, where he made two fantastic saves as Juve beat the English champions 2-0.
The first was against Erling Haaland, when Kevin de Bruyne let the Norwegian slip through beautifully.
Haaland attempted a lob, but the onrushing goalkeeper shot up with a firm hand to block the shot as it spread.
Di Gregorio’s next highlight came when he acrobatically flew across the goal and parried a long-range shot from Ilkay Gündogan that was aimed into the top corner.
“We said no to Liverpool joining the Juventus project in the summer,” said Carlo Alberto Belloni, the goalkeeper’s agent.
“He works hard to continually improve. He set up a gym at home so he could work out on his days off. He has an incredible mentality and his desire is to be part of a Juventus team that rewrites history and wins important trophies.”
Instead, the Reds agreed a deal with Valencia to sign Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili after he impressed in his country’s surprise run to the round of 16 at Euro 2024.
He will remain with the Spanish club this season and will eventually move to the Reds ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Di Gregorio’s apparent move raises questions about what Liverpool had planned for current No. 2 Caoimhin Kelleher.
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The Republic of Ireland international has made no secret of his desire to leave the club in the summer if he absolutely has to in order to play more regularly in the first team.
However, Liverpool refused to let him go despite several offers and the decision paid off with Kelleher performing admirably recently and showing off his skills when number 1 Alisson Becker was out injured.
However, the same questions will be asked about Kelleher’s future next summer when Mamardashvili arrives.
Di Gregorio kept nine clean sheets and conceded just ten goals in 15 games since joining Juventus – performances that earned him a call-up to the Italian national team for the first time.
He hasn’t made his debut yet, having been on the bench against Belgium and Israel, but an appearance is certainly on the cards if his form continues.
The Old Lady is currently in sixth place in the league, although they have yet to lose a game, which can be attributed to nine draws.
Something the team needs to correct as fans are conditioned to success once they win the league nine times in a row.
The 27-year-old will play a key role in Juve’s quest for their first league title in five years.
A bit of a wait considering they last won the Champions League in 1996.
Motta’s side remain on their toes as they sit in 14th place and have secured a playoff spot that they could easily slip out of if they are not careful.