Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has confirmed he
held a series of talks with Arsenal boss Arsene
Wenger.
Although they reached the semi-finals in the Champions
League and FA Cup last season, many felt The Gunners failed to live
up to expectations and there was strong criticism from some
fans.
Wenger then sparked rumours he could be ready to head to
the Bernabeu when he admitted he was unhappy with the club’s
home supporters and said that the Madrid post was ‘strongly
interesting’.
And Perez, who eventually turned to Villarreal boss Manuel
Pellegrini, has now revealed that he did speak to Wenger on
numerous occasions before the Frenchman opted to remain in
England.
"From the beginning we have worked on two possibilities – Wenger
and Pellegrini," he told L'Equipe.
"We have always been attracted by the Frenchman and we talked to
him several times.
"He didn't come because he feels very responsible about what has
happened and what will happen at Arsenal.
“He didn't want to abandon the club that he has given such a lot
to, but as [director general Jorge] Valdano said, 'Pellegrini is
the Wenger of Spanish football'."