Aussie great Mark Viduka has revealed how close he came to joining AC Milan.

Viduka admits he was denied a move in 2001 when with Leeds United.

“I had the chance to join AC Milan at the end of the 2001 season, after we made the Champions League semifinal," Viduka told ESPN.

“[Leeds] were negotiating with Milan and wanted £38 million (€43m).

“I was friends with [Milan star] Zvonimir Boban at the time, and we were negotiating terms through him. In the end, [Milan] offered the £38million, and Leeds didn't want to sell. And that was that.

“I was a huge AC Milan fan. As a kid, I grew up watching Van Basten, Rijkaard and Gullit … They were my favourite team. It just wasn't to be."