Inter Milan midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia has denied suggestions that he had agreed to join AC Milan this summer before signing for their bitter rivals.
The 22-year-old joined the Nerazzurri for a fee in the region of £25m last month, signing a five-year deal with Roberto Mancini's side.
The news was met with derision from Milan chief Adriano Galliani, who claimed that he had effectively struck a deal to sign the Frenchman hours before the Inter move was announced.
"I chose Serie A because this is the right moment and the right league for me to improve as a player," he told reporters.
"I felt Inter were closer to me and speaking to Mancini confirmed that feeling.
"I had no hesitations in making my choice and what was written in the papers was false. I never said yes to Milan."
Kondogbia joined Inter from Monaco, whom he joined in 2013 following a year-long spell in Spain with Sevilla.