Brazil international midfielder Hernanes believes his January move from Lazio to Internazionale will help him ‘achieve great things.’
Hernanes, 28, turned down a lucrative contract offer from the Biancoceleste club in order to complete a move to Inter Milan last week.
The highly-rated 28-year-old joined Lazio from São Paulo in a deal worth €11.1 million in August 2010 to win the Scudetto and play in the UEFA Champions League.
But after three-and-a-half years, one trophy (Coppa Italia, 2012–13) and three straight UEFA Europa League campaigns, Hernanes came to the realisation that he could not achieve his high ambitions at Lazio.
A move to the San Siro will allow him to reach new heights and achieve his long-term goals.
“When I arrived to Lazio I thought I would be able to achieve great things like win a scudetto or play in the Champions League,” Hernanes was quoted as saying in Gazzetta dello Sport, as per Sky Sports.
“However, after three-and-a-half years with the Roman outfit, I understood there would be no possibility to achieve this at Lazio.
“Inter’s project convinced me, and the Nerazzurri are the right club for me.
“It’s true that Lazio president Claudio Lotito offered me a big contract to remain at the club but I chose Inter because the Nerazzurri have high ambitions.
“It was never a question of money.”
Hernanes, who bagged three goals in 17 Serie A appearances for Lazio this term, is expected to make his Nerazzurri debut against U.S. Sassuolo Calcio on Sunday.
Inter Milan (1/3); Sassuolo (9/1); Draw (15/4)
Seydou Keita chose Valencia over Liverpool
Former FC Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita has revealed he chose to join Valencia over Liverpool in the January transfer window.
The Mali international, 34, has been plying his trade in the Chinese Super League with Dalian Aerbin F.C. for the past 18 months.
Keita made it clear he wanted to return to Europe last month and Liverpool were among the club’s interested in his services.
A deal with the Reds was close but the 34-year-old ended discussions with the Merseysiders after learning of Valencia’s interest.
“When we received the call from Valencia, talks with Liverpool were at a very advanced stage,” said Keita.
“But then I told my agent we were going to Valencia. I did not doubt for a second.
“When I came to play at Mestalla with Sevilla or Barcelona I suffered a lot to win, because this is a really big club with fantastic fans. That is why I opted to come here.”
Over the past two seasons, Keita tallied 10 goals in 37 league appearances for Dalian Aerbin, who achieved a 5th-placed finish in the Chinese Super League in 2013.
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