Antoine Griezmann may spend most of his time off the pitch being linked with a move to Manchester United, but the French forward could have moved to Arsenal four years ago.
And it's the collapse of that deal in 2013 that has caused the Atletico Madrid man to rule out a move to the Gunners in the future.
Griezmann was starring at Real Sociedad back in 2013 when he appeared on Arsenal's radar, with the Frenchman's former agent Eric Olhats discussing a potential move for the forward with the Gunners' scout Gilles Grimandi.
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The Frenchman has become one of the most sought after forwards in world football after a prolific few years with Los Rojiblancos. Images: PA
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When he found out about Arsenal's interest, Griezmann 'put aside all other offers' as he awaited an offer from the North London club.
Only the offer never came.
Writing in his new autobiography, Griezmann says of the collapsed deal, "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.
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"So when Eric told me later that the London club were interested again I told him 'Forget it, after the blow they gave us.'"
Griezmann could have become an Arsenal player four years ago. He's now being continuously linked with a move to Manchester United. Images: PA
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That same summer, the Gunners also tried and failed to sign Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez but they did manage to land Yaya Sanogo who would go onto score one goal in 20 games for the club, taking in loan spells with Crystal Palace, Ajax and Charlton Athletic before joining Toulouse, this summer.
(H/T Metro)
Topics: Football News, Football, Atletico Madrid, Antoine Griezmann, Arsenal