Micah Richards has revealed he turned down an offer from Inter Milan in order to join Aston Villa this summer.
The defender spent last season on loan in Italy with Fiorentina but managed just 10 Serie A appearances for La Viola.
The 27-year-old could have extended his Italian adventure with the Nerazzurri but decided to make the switch to Aston Villa when his Manchester City deal expired at the end of last season, rather than link up with his former City boss Roberto Mancini in Milan.
“There were quite a few clubs in for me, some abroad, but having not played so much at Fiorentina, I thought it was right to come home,” he said.
“I was speaking to Inter as well with Mancini. They tried to get me in January but that didn’t materialise.
“I spoke to him afterwards but I wanted to come back to England. I didn’t want to be out in Italy and then the manager gets sacked and I’m fighting for my place in the same situation. That’s one of the main reasons I chose to come back.”
Richards has 13 caps for England but has not appeared for the Three Lions since 2012.
The defender confirmed towards the end of last season that he wants to secure a return to Roy Hodgson’s side and that may have played a part in his decision to return to the Premier League ahead of Euro 2016 in France next summer.
Villa are 3.40 to win their first game of the 2015-16 season at promoted Bournemouth. The Cherries are 2.20 to take all three points and the draw is 3.10.
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