Cristiano Ronaldo was close to joining Arsenal, before Manchester United came in for him in 2003, according to Guillem Balague’s new book.
The Spanish football writer will release his new book ‘Cristiano Ronaldo: The Biography’ includes plenty about hi transfer history.Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes said in the book: “There was a time when I really thought he was going to Arsenal.
It even details the fact that Cristiano travelled to London to meet Arsene Wenger and his favorite player at the time - Thierry Henry.
Ronaldo added: “ We were in a car and Jorge kept telling me to reiterate I had to make sure nobody saw me.
“We stopped at a service station and I had to have my face covered. Jorge was calling me every five minutes. ‘Be careful, be careful around people.’”
The book claims that Ronaldo fell in love with Arsenal, London, the philosophy and the care with which young players were treated.
However, the move broke down because Arsenal could either afford him or a new stadium and instead opted for the stadium - it was this breakdown that allowed United to steal him away.
