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Juv missed out

Juventus ace Blaise Matuidi turned down Arsenal, Manchester United and City this summer to join Italian champions

Premier League fans were left furious that their clubs didn't sign the France powerhouse for a bargain £18.2m fee

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BLAISE MATUIDI turned down a host of Premier League clubs to join Juventus this summer, according to reports.

The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder had the chance to join Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.

 Blaise Matuidi rejected three Premier League clubs to sign for Juventus this summer
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Blaise Matuidi rejected three Premier League clubs to sign for Juventus this summerCredit: AP:Associated Press
 The France international joined the Italian side in an initial £18.2m deal
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The France international joined the Italian side in an initial £18.2m dealCredit: AFP or licensors

But the France international had his heart set on a move to Turin despite having the chance to pocket a higher wage packet in England.

According to France Football, the trio of European giants all made enquiries to PSG once they heard the Ligue 1 club were ready to cash in.

Arsenal were reportedly the closest to landing him, but failed to reach his wage demands.

The 30-year-old eventually joined the Italian champions for a bargain £18.2million as PSG were keen to reduce their wage bill following the world-record arrival of Neymar.

And his value caused anger particularly from Arsenal and Chelsea fans who thought he would have been the perfect addition to their depleted squads.

One fan wrote on Twitter: "I feel disrespected by Chelsea. Juventus is buying Matuidi for £20m & we want to buy Drinkwater for £40m? Someone must resign."

 The former PSG man was close to joining Arsenal but his wage demands were too high
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The former PSG man was close to joining Arsenal but his wage demands were too highCredit: AFP or licensors

Another furious Arsenal supporter said: "Arsenal we didn't we go in for Matuidi at £18million!!! You trying to tell me Elneny and Xhaka are better than Matuidi! What a joke."

Meanwhile Chelsea's AWOL striker Diego Costa is reportedly back in London and ready to return to training.

The 28-year-old is willing to call a truce with the Blues after Antonio Conte told the former Atletico Madrid man by text that he wasn't part of his first-team plans.

 

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