Roma midfielder Ricardo Faty claims he turned down a move to Everton before joining Nantes on loan until the end of the season.The 21-year-old has failed to settle at the Stadio Olimpico since joining from Strasbourg in the summer of 2006 and has signed for Nantes on loan with a view to a permanent move at the end of the season.

But Faty revealed he turned down a move to Everton as well as interest from Italy and Germany, where he spent the first half of this season on loan with Bayer Leverkusen.

He said: "In England, Everton were very interested in taking me.

"Like Leverkusen they watched me in the Under-21 Toulon Festival. But as they did not see me playing in the last six months, they wanted to see if I had kept the rhythm.

"And they proposed me a 15-day trial, like they are used to doing there.

"But I did not want to take this risk as it could not have ended in a contract.

"I also had clubs that wanted me in Germany, but I didn't want to stay there. In Italy, Atalanta Bergamo wanted me but I wasn't interested in moving to a small club.

"Udinese and Sampdoria were interesting but they have plenty of midfielders so I am not sure I would have played.

"Nantes is the best choice for me. I will prove myself, it is going to be perfect."

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