Udinese patron Giampaolo Pozzo has lifted the lid on their decision to sell Vincenzo Iaquinta to Juventus.

"The Spaniards (Barcelona) asked me for Iaquinta in January two years ago. Vincenzo was an important player for us and it was the middle of the season, we couldn't lose him," Pozzo told Tuttosport.

"The negotiations with Juve went on a long time and there was mention of Raffaele Palladino, but above all (Antonio) Nocerino.

"They took him from Piacenza in order to send him over to us, but then changed their minds and kept the midfielder. It seems it was a good decision - after all, he is a first team regular."