AC Milan’s M’Baye Niang says he has no regrets
about not moving to Leicester, but says he is sure to
fulfil his dream of playing in England’s Premier
League on day.
After two loan spells at Montpellier and Genoa Niang
is now a regular starter for the Italian giants and
endeared himself further to Rossoneri fans when he
hit the third goal in a 3-0 derby defeat of city
rivals Inter last January.
It came shortly after Milan rejected an offer from
Leicester, the second of his career having come close
to joining either Arsenal or Everton while at French
side Caen.
Niang said he would one day move to England, but
not if it is to sit on the substitutes bench.
“Caen had already accepted offers from Arsenal and
Everton,” he said in an interview with La Gazzetta
dello Sport Saturday.
“Then in January my agent called to tell me
Leicester wanted me. But Milan said no.”
Former Rossoneri coach Sinisa Mihajlovic tried to
convince Niang to stay with the pledge he would
score in the upcoming city derby.
Niang was good to Mihajlovic’s word and the
Frenchman is now considered their second striker
behind Colombian Carlos Bacca, who has hit five
league goals in five games.
But Niang added: “I could have played in the
Premier League already and hopefully one day I
will: it’s my dream to play there because it’s suited
to my kind of game.
“Even after Leicester won the title I still risked
being (Jamie) Vardy’s deputy: there’s loads of money
in the English game, they pay 20m for you then
maybe you sit on the bench.”
Milan, who are away to Fiorentina on Sunday, sit
sixth in Serie A three points behind leaders
Juventus.
