AC Milan chief Paolo Maldini admits they wanted to sign Newcastle United defender Sven Botman.
Botman left Lille over the summer for Newcastle.
However, many believed he would end up with Milan before Newcastle's intervention.
Maldini told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "We tried to sign Sven Botman last summer but then he went to Newcastle instead."
The 22-year-old signed a five-year contract with Newcastle and has so far played five competitive games for the club.