Like many other clubs, Arsenal have missed out on signing some world-class players over the years.
Arsene Wenger had a tremendous eye for talent during his time in North London, and he unearthed several superstars when nobody had even heard of them.
Where does Arsene Wenger rank among the Premier League’s greatest managers?
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were two players Wenger tried to sign for Arsenal before they became the best players in the world, but there are several others on that list too.
Clarence Seedorf has revealed that he was one of them.
Clarence Seedorf says he rejected Arsenal three times
Seedorf is one of the greatest midfielders in the history of the game.
The legendary Dutchman won five Champions League titles as a player with three different clubs, and he was idolised by many in his prime.
Seedorf played his best football at AC Milan. He was part of a midfield that also featured Kaka, Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo.
Long before that happened, Arsenal tried to sign him – not once or twice but three times.
Seedorf has revealed that the Gunners first tried to get him when he left Ajax in 1995 and made another attempt a year later before he moved to Real Madrid.
Then, in 2000, Arsenal went in for him again, but like the previous two occasions, they faced rejection.
Seedorf revealed on Amazon Prime Video Sport UK: “I had interest multiple times from Premier League clubs. After Ajax, I had a few clubs – Arsenal and Man United.
“Actually, those two were the ones coming back – after Sampdoria before I signed with Real Madrid, then after Real Madrid, when I chose Inter Milan.
“Again, the same teams, probably some other teams as well, they asked if I was interested. Of course, I was interested to go, but at that time, Italy was really the hot place like the Premier League is today.”
Arsene Wenger tried to sign these players and missed out. If you could bring one to Arsenal today, in their prime, who are you choosing and why?
Big names Arsene Wenger tried to sign for Arsenal and failed:
- Lionel Messi
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- N’Golo Kante
- Gareth Bale
- Jamie Vardy
Arsenal could’ve had the greatest midfield in history if they had signed Clarence Seedorf
Seedorf was as complete a midfielder as we’ve ever seen.
The AC Milan legend could do it all in the middle of the park, and it is no surprise that he won the Champions League as many times as he did.
Wenger was right to target Seedorf – he would’ve paired him alongside Patrick Vieira in the middle of Arsenal’s midfield had the deal gone through.
That, in our opinion, could easily have become the greatest midfield partnership in football history.
Sadly, it never happened.
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