No Leicester regrets says AC Milan's Niang

Milan (AFP) – AC Milan’s M’Baye Niang says he has no regrets about not moving to Leicester, but says he is sure to fulfil his dream of playing in England’s Premier League one day.

After two loan spells at Montpellier and Genoa Niang is now a regular starter for the Italian giants and endeared himself further to Rossoneri fans when he hit the third goal in a 3-0 derby defeat of city rivals Inter last January.

It came shortly after Milan rejected an offer from Leicester, the second of his career having come close to joining either Arsenal or Everton while at French side Caen.

Niang said he would one day move to England, but not if it is to sit on the substitutes bench. 

“Caen had already accepted offers from Arsenal and Everton,” he said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport Saturday.

“Then in January my agent called to tell me Leicester wanted me. But Milan said no.”

Former Rossoneri coach Sinisa Mihajlovic tried to convince Niang to stay with the pledge he would score in the upcoming city derby.

Niang was good to Mihajlovic’s word and the Frenchman is now considered their second striker behind Colombian Carlos Bacca, who has hit five league goals in five games.

But Niang added: “I could have played in the Premier League already and hopefully one day I will: it’s my dream to play there because it’s suited to my kind of game.

“Even after Leicester won the title I still risked being (Jamie) Vardy’s deputy: there’s loads of money in the English game, they pay 20m for you then maybe you sit on the bench.”

Milan, who are away to Fiorentina on Sunday, sit sixth in Serie A three points behind leaders Juventus.