Hellas Verona signing Armin Bacinovic admits he came close to joining the Premier League's biggest clubs barely 18 months ago.

The former Palermo star has dropped into Serie B with Verona to reignite his career.

He told TuttoB.com: "I wanted to leave Palermo in January, but I got injured and I had to stay. Now I am happy about this new adventure, I will be able to play continuously.

"It's true, not so long ago I was near Chelsea and Manchester United, but it's past history, I do not think about it anymore."