Former FC Barcelona star striker David Villa has revealed that he was ’90 per cent’ set to join Arsenal in the year 2013.
The wily forward is one of the most successful strikers in the history of Spanish football and had an outstanding time with a number of clubs in his career, including with the likes of Barcelona, Valencia and Atletico Madrid.
While talking to BBC Sport, Villa revealed that he was very close to joining the North London-based club from Barcelona in 2013 but ended up joining Atletico instead.
“We were in a lot of meetings and a lot of calls,” said Villa.
“I felt 90 per cent in that moment that I [would] go to Arsenal and Arsene Wenger.
“But in that moment we didn’t arrive to the deal, Atletico Madrid arrived and in three or four days fixed everything.”
Villa was part of the famous Barcelona unit who are termed as one of the most successful teams in the history of club football. which was managed by Pep Guardiola between 2008 and 2012.
The versatile striker represented the Catalan-based club in 119 matches in all competitions, where he has managed to score 48 times and provided 24 assists as well.
In total, Villa has played 642 matches in his professional career where he has scored 325 goals and provided 77 assists.
Arsenal have had a number of iconic strikers in the Premier League era, with the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robin van Persie crowd favourites in North London.
However, the news of the Gunners missing out on Villa will be frustrating as the Spaniard could have been a sensation in the Premier League.
