Goal looks at the impressive list of names that will go down as 'nearly' signings for the departing Frenchman
Arsene Wenger signed the likes of Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Patrick Vieira for Arsenal, but equally regrets missing out on a number of football's biggest stars. Here, Goal has taken a look at who the Frenchman famously missed out on luring to the Gunners…
GettyimagesANGEL DI MARIA
If Di Maria had moved to England when he was younger he may have flourished, unlike his time at Manchester United. Arsene Wenger revealed that work permit issues halted a potential transfer to north London:
"We had identified Di Maria when he was 17. We wanted him to come here but he went to Portugal and from Portugal he went to Spain. Why? Because he could not get a work permit."
AdvertisementLIONEL MESSI
What could have been at Arsenal.
Wenger attempted to sign a young Leo Messi but couldn't tempt him away from Barca:
"It's true, it's just that he [Messi] didn't want to move. In the end, he was comfortable at Barcelona.”
Getty ImagesCRISTIANO RONALDO
Completing the set, Wenger revealed that he missed out on signing Messi's only true rival for the title of best player in the world:
"My biggest regret? I was so close to signing Cristiano Ronaldo… that of course still hurts today."
Getty ImagesPAUL POGBA
When Paul Pogba was allowed to leave Man Utd on a free transfer, Wenger wanted to sign him.
The midfielder would undoubtedly have been an ideal fit, being a young fellow Frenchman.
"We were interested in him. We tried to get him to come here. But he very quickly signed for Juventus."