Chelsea's Zappacosta offer was too good to refuse, say Torino


Torino director Gianluca Petrachi has revealed the club let Davide Zappacosta leave after Chelsea submitted an offer that was too good to refuse.

 

The Italy international made a surprise switch to Chelsea on deadline day after the reigning Premier League champions agreed a reported €28m (£25.5m) fee.

 

Chelsea were reportedly on the verge of signing Bacary Sagna on a free before pulling the plug on that deal to move for Zappacosta.

 

Torino had already signed Cristian Ansaldi and sanctioned the 25-year-old’s move to Stamford Bridge after being convinced by Chelsea’s high offer.

 

“We sold Zappacosta because, after consulting with the player too, we realised this was an offer we could not refuse,” Petrachi told Torino Channel, via Football Italia. “Cristian Ansaldi arrived instead and in my view he’s even stronger in the defensive side of the game.”

 

 

Since January 2016, only Alex Sandro (48) has completed more crosses from open play of all Serie A defenders than Zappacosta (47).