Former Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has claimed that he turned down a potential move to AC Milan in order to join Turkish side Antalyaspor over the summer.
The 30-year-old's six-year stint at the Etihad came to a close in August when he sealed a switch to the Super Lig outfit, having been deemed surplus to requirements by City boss Pep Guardiola.
The Frenchman had previously spent three years with Arsenal and four years as part of the Marseille first team, and insists that he was keen to make "a change" as he sought an exit from City.
"I did 13 years at the highest level, I also needed a change, to leave for elsewhere - I have never seen a country with so much passion," he is quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News.
"We had a discussion, but it was rather brief, with Marseille, with Lyon, with AC Milan, and then there were Besiktas, Galatasaray and Antalya.
"The choice was made quite naturally - the president has a very ambitious project, and the fact that Jeremy (Menez, ex-France teammate) is there, it also reassured me. He practically played the role of agent and was very insistent."
During his time in Manchester, Nasri won two Premier League titles and the League Cup.
Neil Wilkes
