Wenger: I was so close to signing Ronaldo for Arsenal

Posted Friday, September 19, 2014 by Talksport.co.uk

Wenger: I was so close to signing Ronaldo for Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has revealed his biggest regret in football is failing to take Cristiano Ronaldo to Arsenal.

The Gunners boss claims he was 'so close' to signing the Portuguese superstar when he was a youngster at Sporting Lisbon.

Ronaldo went on to join Manchester United instead, where he enjoyed incredible success before a mega-money move to Real Madrid.

"My biggest regret, I was so close to signing Cristiano Ronaldo," Wenger said, in a sponsor question and answer session.

"And not only did I not get him, but he signed for Manchester United. That, of course, still hurts today."

Wenger also rued his failure not to sign Didier Drogba, who has legendary status at Chelsea and has a brilliant goalscoring record against the Gunners.

"I would have loved to have managed Didier Drogba, for two reasons," said the Frenchman.

"One, I missed him when he played at Le Mans in France, not even in the top league. I knew there was a good player there and I missed him.

"And secondly, because he hurt us so much in big games that all this pain would not have happened."