Liverpool Transfer History, Why Mattia De Sciglio Said No to Anfield
Transfer windows tend to be shaped as much by decisions declined as deals completed. For Liverpool, recruitment has often hinged on timing, opportunity and persuasion. Not every target becomes a signing, and some near misses develop into intriguing footnotes. One such story centres on Mattia De Sciglio, the Italian defender who once stood on the edge of a Premier League move before choosing a different path.
Career Rise in Milan Colours
De Sciglio’s early ascent came at AC Milan, where he emerged as one of Europe’s most technically assured full backs. Comfortable on either flank, positionally disciplined and tactically intelligent, he embodied the modern defensive profile clubs sought during the mid 2010s. Liverpool’s interest arrived during this formative period, when his reputation was still ascending and his durability had yet to be tested.
A move to England would have represented both a financial step forward and an immersion into one of football’s most demanding leagues. Liverpool, then reshaping their squad, viewed De Sciglio as a long term solution in defence. Yet career decisions rarely hinge on a single factor.
Juventus Move and Allegri Influence
Instead of Anfield, De Sciglio chose Turin, joining Juventus in 2017. The presence of Massimiliano Allegri proved decisive, given their prior working relationship at Milan. Familiarity, trust and the promise of competing for major honours tilted the balance.
“Liverpool also wanted me, but I chose Turin. Allegri was on the bench, and the team was really strong. And finding myself in a dressing room full of champions, after also playing a key role in the European Championship, was a great revenge after the difficult period I had gone through.”
At Juventus, De Sciglio collected silverware and featured regularly during his early seasons. Surrounded by elite talent and operating within a dominant domestic side, he experienced the sustained success that had influenced his decision.
Injuries Alter Career Trajectory
Momentum, however, can be fragile. Recurring injuries began to interrupt De Sciglio’s rhythm, limiting both his availability and consistency. What once looked like a stable long term chapter gradually became uncertain.
By 2024, new managerial direction under Thiago Motta shifted squad priorities. De Sciglio was deemed surplus to requirements and subsequently loaned to Empoli. Upon returning at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, Juventus opted against extending his contract, leaving the defender a free agent at 33.
Across his career, he accumulated 208 Serie A appearances and 28 outings in the Champions League, numbers that reflect longevity at the top level despite physical setbacks.
Early Setbacks Shaped Perspective
De Sciglio’s reflections on his journey also reveal how rejection shaped his resilience. Long before Liverpool or Juventus entered the frame, he encountered an early obstacle.
“I could have played for Inter as a kid.
“They had called me for a trial, but I was dropped because I was too short. Milan arrived shortly afterwards, and I went through the youth sector until my Champions League debut at 18.”
That formative disappointment redirected him towards Milan, the club that launched his professional career and ultimately set him on the path that drew Liverpool’s attention years later.
Legacy of a Transfer That Never Happened
In hindsight, Liverpool’s interest in De Sciglio represents one of football’s many sliding door moments. Had he moved to Merseyside, his development might have unfolded within the Premier League’s intensity rather than Serie A’s tactical landscape.
Instead, his choice delivered domestic titles, European nights and personal vindication after early struggles. For Liverpool, it remains a reminder that recruitment stories extend beyond signings, shaped equally by players who choose another road.
