Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi has admitted that he wanted to quit the club this summer, but says he has to accept the club's decision not to sell him.
Matuidi was "very disappointed" by the Ligue 1 champions' refusal to let him leave for a move to Juventus according to the France international's agent, Mino Raiola.
And the player himself revealed that a move was blocked.
"Yes, I wanted to leave but the club decided otherwise and I had to accept it," he told Telefoot. " It is true that it has been a delicate period for me because I had a wish and that wish was not granted.
"However, I am not unhappy at PSG. Far from it, in fact, I am very happy.
"There is a new coach and I know that he has great confidence in me, we have discussed this considerably. I think that counted for a lot as far as the club's desire [to keep him] was concerned."
PSG's Blaise Matuidi confirms he wished to leave PSG this summer but club did not grant him a move. #Juventus #Juve https://t.co/OL1yuNMDkg
- Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) September 4, 2016
Juventus pursued Matuidi as a replacement for international teammate Pogba, who returned to Manchester United after a successful four-year spell in Turin for a world record €105 million fee.
The former AS Saint-Etienne and ESTAC Troyes man had been expected to leave Parc des Princes this summer after being linked with a number of English Premier League clubs before Juventus joined the chase.
However, new PSG coach Unai Emery repeatedly stated his desire to see the man from Toulouse stay in Paris, while club chairman and CEO, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, echoed the Basque tactician's sentiments.