Former Liverpool youngster Bobby Duncan turned down the opportunity to join Manchester United before sealing his switch to Fiorentina, as he 'didn't want to betray' his former club, an Italian agent has revealed.
Vincenzo Morabito worked closely with Duncan and his agent Saif Rubie in securing the teenager's switch to Italy earlier this week, having worked on deals involving former Chelsea striker Demba Ba as well as Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Bony in the past.
Morabito told Sportsmail of the options that the youngster had on the table before making the late move to Fiorentina.
'It all started in April. Saif contacted me and we set to work to find new accommodation for Bobby,' he said. 'The boy did not want to betray Liverpool and said no to United who insisted so much with him.
'He could have gone to Lazio but relations with Liverpool are very bad and nothing was done.
'(Lazio manager) Simone Inzaghi would have made him grow a lot and I hope he is like that with (Fiorentina boss) Vincenzo Montella.'
The 18-year-old openly expressed his desire to leave Anfield last week in an exclusive story revealed by Sportsmail, with his agent Rubie slamming Liverpool's behaviour, saying they were 'damaging his mental health'.
And now Morabito has said he is working hard to ensure the Englishman settles into his new surroundings.
'Soon we will see Fiorentina in order to find the best Italian school for him and it to give him serenity in this acclimatization phase,' Morabito said.
The agent has high hopes for the young midfielder, saying he could have a similar impact as Paul Pogba, when the Frenchman left Manchester United as a youngster to join Juventus.
'He may be the new Italian Pogba. Fiorentina has made a deal and Liverpool have lost one of the 5 best English products in the recent history of the Premier.'
Duncan, who has signed a three-year deal with the Italian side, has thanked his former club since making the switch.
On joining Fiorentina, Duncan wrote on Twitter: 'I want to thank everybody at @liverpoolfc from the Coaches, Staff and Players for contributing in my development at the club I move on with very special memories.... Thank you #LFC #YNWA.'