Chris Maduewesi
Member
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that he came very close to signing Lionel Messi.
Wenger revealed that he tried to sign three players from Barcelona's La Masia academy, but only ended up bringing in Cesc Fabregas from the Catalan club.
"We wanted to take Fabregas, Messi and Pique. It worked only for Fabregas."
There were reports that the deal did not go through due to Arsenal's inability to provide a flat for Messi and his family.
However Wenger denied that, adding that the Argentine was not so keen on joining them.
"I think in the end he was not so keen to move," Wenger said.
"It was not completely down to a flat in the end. It was down to the fact that Messi was comfortable at Barcelona."
It does not seem probable that Arsenal can afford him now, especially as Barcelona has put the buy-out clause of the four-time Ballon D'or winner at 200million Euros.
Wenger revealed that he tried to sign three players from Barcelona's La Masia academy, but only ended up bringing in Cesc Fabregas from the Catalan club.
"We wanted to take Fabregas, Messi and Pique. It worked only for Fabregas."
There were reports that the deal did not go through due to Arsenal's inability to provide a flat for Messi and his family.
However Wenger denied that, adding that the Argentine was not so keen on joining them.
"I think in the end he was not so keen to move," Wenger said.
"It was not completely down to a flat in the end. It was down to the fact that Messi was comfortable at Barcelona."
It does not seem probable that Arsenal can afford him now, especially as Barcelona has put the buy-out clause of the four-time Ballon D'or winner at 200million Euros.