I rejected Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United - even Roman Abramovich couldn't persuade me to move
Paolo Maldini is classed as an AC Milan legend. The Italian's career spanned a quarter of a century, during which he won 25 major trophies. He is remembered as one of the greatest centre-backs in football history.
Maldini, who joined Milan's youth system in 1978 and retired in 2009, never played for another club. The only time he wore anything other than red and black was when he represented Italy, earning 126 caps over 14 years.
But it could have been so different. A number of English sides were interested in the defender and Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea were among the sides to make approaches.
This was during the mid-90s when Maldini was part of a star-studded Milan team that included Massimo Ambrosini, Paolo Di Canio, Roberto Baggio and George Weah. Sir Alex Ferguson first attempted to lure the defender to Manchester but was thwarted by Maldini's father, Cesare, who had himself played for Milan from 1954 to 1966.
Ferguson, speaking back in 2019, recalled: «I did try [to sign Maldini] but when I met his father he was quite formidable, I got a shake of the head. I remember him saying, 'My grandfather is Milan, my father is, I am Milan, my sons are Milan. Forget it'.»
But Ferguson wasn't the only one who tried to lure Maldini away from Milan. The late Luca Vialli, then Chelsea manager, also approached Maldini about a potential move to Stamford Bridge. Despite considering it, Maldini knew his heart belonged in Milan. Arsenal, too, tried their luck.
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