Ante Coric’s agent-father has claimed that the midfielder never wanted to join Roma. “We didn’t have a choice, we were forced.”
Coric only joined Roma from Dinamo Zagreb last summer, but injuries and competition for places have limited the 21-year-old to just 45 minutes of action this season.
“We wanted to leave Dinamo Zagreb at all costs as they treated my son in the worst way,” dad Miljenko told Index.hr.
“We protested to the Croatian club, my son went on strike for the final two games of last season and we asked for a transfer.
“We would’ve accepted to go anywhere except Italy and France, but unfortunately we didn’t have a choice and we were forced to accept Roma so we could leave as soon as possible.
“Ante called me and told me Roma wouldn’t let him leave. There are some serious offers for him, but they won’t be taken into consideration.
“I recently contacted Di Francesco to ask him about Ante’s development and he replied that there were three Italian players above him in the pecking order.
“Still, the season is long, the club are playing in three competitions and therefore he’ll get opportunities.”