Ex-Messi agent: He almost followed Cesc from Barcelona to Arsenal | OneFootball

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·22 September 2020

Ex-Messi agent: He almost followed Cesc from Barcelona to Arsenal

Article image:Ex-Messi agent: He almost followed Cesc from Barcelona to Arsenal

A former agent of Barcelona star Leo Messi admits a move to Arsenal was close when he was a teenager.

Fabian Soldini says then Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger identified Cesc Fabregas, Messi and Gerard Pique as potential signings when they were academy prospects in 2003.


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Wenger succeeded in luring Fabregas to Arsenal, while Pique joined Manchester United, though Messi opted to stay at Barcelona.

But Soldini says Messi was tempted by the prospect of a move to the Emirates, such was the closeness of his friendship with Fabregas.

"[Messi] was tempted to go to Arsenal, but he didn't go," Soldini told Marca.

"I remember the day that Cesc asked to leave [Barcelona]. Messi was also asked to go, but he didn't want to leave."

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