Former Finnish striker Jari Litmanen has revealed that he had the opportunity to sign for AC Milan during the 1990’s but elected to stay with Ajax instead.

The veteran striker had a career that took him to Barcelona and Liverpool, but he never featured in Serie A, despite playing against both Milan and Juventus in Champions League finals.

At a Soccerex tournament in Manchester, the Finn revealed his decision to Tuttomercatoweb.com

“There were some situations where I had to choose,” he explained, “I had to stay with Ajax or go to Italy.”

“It was difficult. I had the opportunity to go there from Ajax but I was very good and we had a great team.

“It was a shame, I would have like to have seen Italy, but you cannot have everything in life.”

Despite his fondness for Serie A during his playing days, Litmanen recognises that Italian football is no longer at its peak.

“I think football in Italy has suffered from the financial situation in Europe. In fact Germany and England are better, while in Spain only a few clubs have a decent situation.”