Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has admitted the club did everything possible to re-sign Amar Fatah, but the lure of Serie A proved too strong for the Swedish under-21 international.
Fatah made a summer move to Lecce after an impressive loan spell at Tannadice last season, where he scored nine goals and provided four assists. He recently scored his first goal for the Italian club against Bologna.
Deal with Troyes collapsed
United had agreed a permanent deal with Troyes to sign the winger, but the transfer broke down when interest from Italy emerged. Goodwin confirmed: "We were desperate to try and get him back.
"We'd done all we could at our end. Of course, we tried to sign Amar. We made a really good offer. We can't compete with these Serie A teams and that's the way it goes."
Fatah had always harboured ambitions to play in one of Europe's top leagues. Goodwin added: "He was full of belief that he was going to go and play in the top five playing in Serie A and scoring, so credit to him. It was one that was the club was quite close in terms of the club that probably could have had a deal with it.
"Amar just loved his time at United but wanted another challenge."
Goodwin keeps tabs on former players
Goodwin revealed he stays in touch with many of his former United players, including Sam Dalby and Luca Stevenson, as well as loan players like Julius Eskesen, who is currently at KuPS.
"I messaged Amar on Monday morning actually," Goodwin admitted. "I always religiously watch back players who have been with us. I'm always looking at Dalby and Stevenson and obviously Amar and other players as well, with guys like that up at Aberdeen.
"I'm just curious to see how they're getting on. Julius Eskesen, who is playing. I'm delighted for Amar. I'm really, really pleased. I sent him a wee message on Monday just congratulating him.
"He was quick to reply and obviously was keeping a close eye on the United results as well. I think he spoke publicly about that."
City Group link could bring more talent
Goodwin believes United's success with Fatah will open the door for more young players to come north from the City Group.
"We've got a great relationship with the City group as well," he added. "They've got an abundance of young, talented players within their ranks and that's certainly something that we'll continue to monitor."
