Reports | Antoine Griezmann nearly signed for Arsenal in 2017
Antoine Griezmann was close to joining Arsenal back in 2017 but the deal fell through because the Gunners failed to qualify for the Champions League. The forward had been Arsene Wenger's top target for a long time as the Arsenal legend believed that Greizmann had what it takes to become the best.
Arsenal's failed objective to qualify for the Champions League led them to not being able to sign the 28-year-old back in 2017. A deal was set in stone for the French player to move to Emirates Stadium, stated David Ornstein in an interview, according to the Daily Mail. The Frenchman was heavily linked with a move to England, with Manchester United also interested, but eventually signed for Barcelona in the summer of 2019.
However, Ornstein went on to reveal that if Arsenal had qualified for the Champions League in Arsene Wenger's last season, then the North London giants would have signed the former Real Sociedad starlet instead of Alexandre Lacazette.
"I was told that if Arsenal had qualified for the Champions League in 2017 they would have signed Antoine Griezmann, but missing out for the first time in 20 years ended their hopes on that one." Ornstein told.
The 28-year-old even held talks during that time with Wenger about a possible transfer, but Arsenal hesitated before pulling the plug on the deal. This happened not once but twice when Griezmann was at Real Sociedad and after he signed for Atletico Madrid. The Frenchman went on to reveal everything in his autobiography and even added that he will never consider a move to London no matter what they offer him.
"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 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," Griezmann stated in his autobiography.
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