PSG blocked midfielder from joining Arsenal | OneFootball

Former Paris-Saint Germain midfielder Clement Chantome has revealed that Arsenal tried to sign him back in 2008.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Clement Chantome controls the ball during the French L1 football match Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) vs Evian Thonon Gaillard (ETGFC) on December 8, 2012. (Photo: KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking to the media this week, former PSG midfielder Clement Chantome has confirmed that he almost made a move to Arsenal 16 years ago, even meeting with Arsene Wenger on multiple occasions.

“The transfer that almost happened? The one to Arsenal in the summer of 2008,” Chantome said.

“I had met Arsene Wenger several times but Alain Cayzac (then PSG president) blocked the operation because I had just signed a good contract.

“The prospect of playing there (at Arsenal), when you know the number of French players who have shone there, inevitably, it makes you think, I would have liked it.”

NAPLES, ITALY: Clement Chantome of Paris Saint Germain in action during the pre-season friendly match between SSC Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Stadio San Paolo on August 11, 2014. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)

Chantome had broken into the PSG senior squad in 2006, after six years in their academy setup. After two seasons as a regular, Wenger had evidently seen enough to make a move for the midfielder, then just 21 years old.

With Chantome having just signed a contract extension, it wasn’t hard for PSG to hold onto him. But it was an unfortunate set of circumstances, as PSG then signed Claude Makelele, keeping Chantome out of the team.

The French international remained with PSG until 2015, winning a couple of Ligue 1 titles and four domestic cups, as well as the French super cup.

FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger, speaks during a press conference regarding the FIFA-AIFF (All India Football Federation) academy and the grassroots development in Indian football in Mumbai on November 22, 2023. (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)

After his spell with PSG finally ended, Chantome played for Bordeaux and Rennes in Ligue 1, before dropping down to the French lower leagues in his thirties for the remainder of his career.