Veteran Italian Striker Borriello Reveals Which Spanish and English Teams He Once Turned Down

34-year-old Marco Borriello claims he had the chance to sign for both Barcelona and Manchester United earlier in his career.

The journeyman Italian striker, who is now playing for Cagliari, claims that whilst at AC Milan he had offers from both the Spanish and English heavyweights.

He decided to opt out of any possible move abroad and stay in Serie A by signing a long-term deal with Roma. Whilst his first year was a success, the veteran admits that his time in the capital did not work out the way he had planned.

He scored 17 goals in 46 appearances during his fist season at the Stadio Olympico but was limited to just eight games the following campaign. He then had three loan spells out at Juventus, Genoa and west Ham United before Genoa decided to acquire the forward permanently.

Speaking toLiberoBorriello said:"I could've gone to Real Madrid or Manchester United, but I chose Italy and stayed there with a big club.I scored 17 goals in my first season, then in came a new sporting director without getting to know me and said ˜this is a problem', and [the following] mid-season, I found myself somewhere else."

Now at Cagliari, Borriello has two goals in his first two games for his new club and makes no secret of his desire to force his way back into the national set-up despite his age.

"The first secret is that I'm really fighting for it!" said the striker. He currently has seven caps for his country and was part of Italy's team during Euro 2008.

4 - Marco Borriello has found the back of the net in each of the last four Serie A games played against Roma. Ex.