Arsenal
Transfer News: £86m Man Utd Target Opens Up On Failed Arsenal Move
Antoine Griezmann has revealed he was keen to join Arsenal in 2013 but Arsene Wenger’s hesitation cost him the chance of landing the French super-star
The transfer window may be closed but clubs are still working hard ahead of January and next summer so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, Antoine Griezmann reveals details of almost joining Arsenal….
Antoine Griezmann has revealed he was keen to join Arsenal in 2013 but Arsene Wenger’s hesitation cost the Gunners the chance of landing the French super-star, according to the Mirror.
Griezmann came through the youth ranks at Real Sociedad and emerged as one of the hottest prospects in Spanish football after breaking in to the first team set-up in 2011.
The Frenchman caught the attention of Arsenal scout Giles Grimandi and Griezmann has now confirmed that he was keen on a move to the Emirates after learning of Wenger’s interest.
The forward waited until deadline day in 2013 for Arsenal to make their move only to be informed at the last minute that Wenger had changed his mind and wouldn’t be making a formal move for his signature.
That snub didn’t go down well with the player as Griezmann has revealed that when Arsenal came calling the following summer he told the north Londoners to ‘forget it’ as he wasn’t impressed with how he was treated the previous year.
Griezmann is quoted by the Mirror as saying in his new autobiography:
“I waited, I waited, and I kept waiting. When there was no news, Eric called Grimandi, who said that the manager was still interested in me [and] to keep waiting.
“Finally a few hours before the market closed, he let us know Arsenal would not make a move. I don’t like to be told something and for it not to happen.
“So when Eric told me later that the London club were interested again I told him ‘Forget it, after the blow they gave us'”.
Wenger’s hesitation to make a move for Griezmann ended up costing Arsenal as the French international went on to sign for Atletico Madrid in 2014 and has developed in to one of the best forwards in Europe.
The 26-year-old has provided 86 goals and 28 assists in his 174 appearances for Atletico so far and has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United.
The Mirror claimed earlier this month that United are prepared to meet his £86m buyout clause and Griezmann has refused to rule out moving to Old Trafford when he leaves Atletico.
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Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, Griezmann joins a long list of players the north Londoners have missed out on over the years and there is a good chance they may have to see him join a rival if he does come to England.
