Was the unreciprocated love for this player ever returned? Likely not in 2000, despite a clear history of attraction from Manchester United.
We’ll never know the full story, but in the end, a transfer to England was ruled out as he chose to join Roma, where he became Serie A’s highest-paid player.
There were indications that Batistuta was viewed as expensive, particularly given his age, leading Sir Alex Ferguson to turn his attention to Ruud van Nistelrooy. Although the Dutch striker’s transfer from PSV Eindhoven was delayed by a year, it proved to be a wise decision, showcasing Ferguson’s keen judgment.
While United’s patience eventually bore fruit, Gabriel Batistuta went on to win a title in Rome before making another move within Italy to Inter.
In hindsight, the striker remarked, “I received numerous offers, including from Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Milan. However, I preferred the peace of playing for Fiorentina.”
As such, the long-haired, formidable forward never had the opportunity to display his talents at Old Trafford or anywhere else in England. Yet, as we look forward to Saturday’s Snapdragon Cup match against La Viola (live on MUTV), some fans may find themselves reminiscing about the impact he could have had leading the line for a Ferguson-coached team.
