Ron: I almost joined Gunners
05 Dec 2008 - 12:28:12
Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he almost signed for Arsenal before eventually opting to join Manchester United.
Ronaldo was snapped up by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson from Sporting Lisbon in a £12.24million deal in 2003, but only after the 23-year-old had held talks with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
The Portugal international said: "I was just an inch away from signing for Arsenal.
"I saw Arsene Wenger three times with my mother.
"It was very close to being a done deal. Really, we were within touching distance.
"Wenger remains someone that I still have immense esteem for and my mum feels the same way.
"After I signed for United she and I were sitting watching a Premier League game on television and she yelled out 'I know that guy - I liked him!'"
Ronaldo has gone on to score 101 goals in 256 appearances for United.