Radamel Falcao wanted to join Juventus before Manchester United sealed a loan move, according to the club's managing director Giuseppe Marotta.
The striker joined Louis van Gaal's side on transfer deadline day from Monaco for a season-long fee of around £10 million after United agreed to subsidise the majority of his reported £300,000-a-week wages.
A number of teams were interested in the Colombian international, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City all also reportedly offered the player, though Moratta insists a move to Italy was his preference.
"We followed Falcao, but there has been no contact since he moved to Manchester United," the Juve chief told Domenica Sportiva.
"We were very close to signing him and the striker preferred a move to Italy to wear Bianconeri colours.
"Then, however, a deal was done to send the forward to Manchester United, who can now buy the player permanently, though that deal is a little blurred."
Falcao has scored once in five appearances for United so far this season, compared to the two goals he netted for Monaco in three games before leaving the Stade Louis II.
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