New York Cosmos coach and former Swansea City player Giovanni Savarese has failed in an eyebrow-raising attempt to sign Italian football legend Francesco Totti.
Totti, whose long playing association with boyhood club Roma came to an end last month, was contacted by Savarese in a bid to tempt the 39-year-old to the States to finish his playing days in the NASL.
Savarese told Gazetta dello Sport : "What I can say about that situation is that first of all, I think anyone, any coach, any organisation, any club in the world would be interested in a player like Totti, that kind of player that is loyal to an organisation.
"It's not many players who can say they spent their entire career with a club and be so successful like Totti has. I think you can talk about Raul and a few other players like Maldini who spent their entire life with the same organisation.
"I think he's one anybody would love to have on their team. There has been for sure a contact. There has been a conversation, but that would be the max I'd be able to say right now. We don't like to talk to players who are not our players. He's a Roma-signed player. Definitely there has been a contact, but nothing else."
But unfortunately for Savarese Totti has rejected the Cosmos' offer after new Giallorossi boss Eusebio di Francesco convinced him to carry on his legacy with the Rome club.
He will now take up a new technical role in the Italian capital.
Totti played more than 600 latches for the club and scored 250 goals throughout his glittering career.
Saverese, who has coached the Cosmos since his appointment in 2010, scored a brace on his debut at the Vetch to help the Swans beat Stoke City in Division Two back in 2000.
The Venezuelan international went on to score 11 times during an eight-month loan stint from San Jose Earthquakes during the 2000-01 season.
“Every memory I have from Swansea is fantastic - the fans were great with me during my time there, my daughter was born at Singleton Hospital. I love the city - it still holds a special place in my heart," he said .
"I always keep an eye on Swansea because I feel very attached to the club."
