- The Gunners were ‘thereabouts’ to sign the Argentine in 2003.
- The transfer didn’t happen even though Arsenal got in touch with Leo’s representatives.
“Arsene has said that at one stage we were close to signing Leo Messi and although I wouldn’t go so far as to say we were close, we were there or thereabouts,” former Arsenal scout Francis Cagigao told Evening Standard.
“Discussions took place with his representative, but he had an issue with his work permit which at the time wasn’t even clear in Spain where he was, so that was discarded.”
The Gunners tried to land Leo after securing Cesc Fabregas’ move in 2003.
As we all know, Messi remained at Barca and made his debut the following year.
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