Manchester United wanted to sign Fiorentina star but deal would have ‘jeopardised’ club

Manchester United taking on Fiorentina in a pre-season friendly will spark memories of their famous attempt to sign Gabriel Batistuta. The Red Devils were long-time admirers of the Argentina striker Batistuta during his time at Fiorentina. GettyBatistuta saw a move to United breakdown over fears it would ‘jeopardise’ the club[/caption] AFPThe Red Devils held a long-time interest in the Fiorentina forward during the 1990s[/caption] Legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson had been keen to sign the forward on multiple occasions. However, United were ultimately priced out of a move due to Batistuta’s wage demands. The club looked most likely to complete the signing back in 1996. It came after they had missed out on Alan Shearer, who opted to join his beloved Newcastle from Blackburn. Why didn’t United sign Batistuta? Former United chairman Martin Edwards reflected on their pursuit of Batistuta back in 2017. He told NBC Sports: “Ferguson was keen to sign Batistuta. “We looked at the situation, but at that time, the wages Batistuta wanted, and of course we’re talking net. “I can’t remember the figures now, (but) they would have jeopardised our wage structure at the club at the time, and therefore turned it down.” Despite their decision to walk away, though, United may have ultimately been rejected by Batistuta. Who did Batistuta almost join? He claimed in 2019 that he had turned down the likes of United, Real Madrid and AC Milan during his career. Ferguson was desperate to land Batistuta, who had hinted he wanted the moveGetty The prolific frontman admitted he would have been ‘bored scoring 200 goals’ by becoming a star man at one of the world’s biggest clubs. Speaking to the America Business Forum, he explained: “I never enjoyed being the star-man because as soon as you become the focal point of the team, you assume an extra burden of responsibility. “I received many offers, namely from Real Madrid, Manchester United and Milan, but I preferred the tranquillity of playing for Fiorentina. “If I had gone to Madrid, I would have scored more than 200 goals, but I knew I would have got bored. The same thing would have happened to me at Milan. “Although I have never won a major trophy, I consider myself a winner because I helped Fiorentina to compete with the big boys.” Those claims came after he had teased a move to Old Trafford prior to his Fiorentina exit in 2000. Batistuta declared: “If I ever leave Fiorentina I would very much like to go to Manchester United because out of the three best teams in Europe – United, Lazio and Barcelona – Manchester, in my opinion, is the best.” Instead, though, he moved to Serie A rivals Roma and won the title in his debut season. Ultimately, United failed to lure Batistuta away from Fiorentina during his nine years with the Viola. He spent nine years in Florence between 1991 and 2000, scoring 203 goals in 331 appearances, two of which came against United in the Champions League during his final campaign. Batistuta had stayed with Fiorentina following their 1993 relegation to power them to an immediate return as Serie B champions. He later won both the Serie A golden boot and the Coppa Italia. GettyBatistuta scored home and away against United in the Champions League[/caption] United are set to line up against his former club at Old Trafford on Saturday at 12.45pm. Fiorentina will provide the opposition for Ruben Amorim’s side in their final pre-season friendly.

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Manchester United wanted to sign Fiorentina star but deal would have ‘jeopardised’ club

Manchester United taking on Fiorentina in a pre-season friendly will spark memories of their famous attempt to sign Gabriel Batistuta.

The Red Devils were long-time admirers of the Argentina striker Batistuta during his time at Fiorentina.

Batistuta saw a move to United breakdown over fears it would ‘jeopardise’ the club[/caption]

The Red Devils held a long-time interest in the Fiorentina forward during the 1990s[/caption]

Legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson had been keen to sign the forward on multiple occasions.

However, United were ultimately priced out of a move due to Batistuta’s wage demands.

The club looked most likely to complete the signing back in 1996.

It came after they had missed out on Alan Shearer, who opted to join his beloved Newcastle from Blackburn.

Why didn’t United sign Batistuta?

Former United chairman Martin Edwards reflected on their pursuit of Batistuta back in 2017.

He told NBC Sports: “Ferguson was keen to sign Batistuta.

“We looked at the situation, but at that time, the wages Batistuta wanted, and of course we’re talking net.

“I can’t remember the figures now, (but) they would have jeopardised our wage structure at the club at the time, and therefore turned it down.”

Despite their decision to walk away, though, United may have ultimately been rejected by Batistuta.

Who did Batistuta almost join?

He claimed in 2019 that he had turned down the likes of United, Real Madrid and AC Milan during his career.

Ferguson was desperate to land Batistuta, who had hinted he wanted the move

The prolific frontman admitted he would have been ‘bored scoring 200 goals’ by becoming a star man at one of the world’s biggest clubs.

Speaking to the America Business Forum, he explained: “I never enjoyed being the star-man because as soon as you become the focal point of the team, you assume an extra burden of responsibility.

“I received many offers, namely from Real Madrid, Manchester United and Milan, but I preferred the tranquillity of playing for Fiorentina.

“If I had gone to Madrid, I would have scored more than 200 goals, but I knew I would have got bored. The same thing would have happened to me at Milan.

“Although I have never won a major trophy, I consider myself a winner because I helped Fiorentina to compete with the big boys.”

Those claims came after he had teased a move to Old Trafford prior to his Fiorentina exit in 2000.

Batistuta declared: “If I ever leave Fiorentina I would very much like to go to Manchester United because out of the three best teams in Europe – United, Lazio and Barcelona – Manchester, in my opinion, is the best.”

Instead, though, he moved to Serie A rivals Roma and won the title in his debut season.

Ultimately, United failed to lure Batistuta away from Fiorentina during his nine years with the Viola.

He spent nine years in Florence between 1991 and 2000, scoring 203 goals in 331 appearances, two of which came against United in the Champions League during his final campaign.

Batistuta had stayed with Fiorentina following their 1993 relegation to power them to an immediate return as Serie B champions.

He later won both the Serie A golden boot and the Coppa Italia.

Batistuta scored home and away against United in the Champions League[/caption]

United are set to line up against his former club at Old Trafford on Saturday at 12.45pm.

Fiorentina will provide the opposition for Ruben Amorim’s side in their final pre-season friendly.