Wenger’s unrealised Arsenal targets included Buffon, Bale and Ronaldo

Arsene Wenger’s long Arsenal tenure produced three Premier League titles, including the unbeaten 2003-04 campaign, and seven FA Cups. Yet a selection of players he tried or considered signing went on to become stars elsewhere. The list, reported by Planet Football and published by Punch, includes goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who was reportedly considered before his move from Parma to Juventus in 2001.

Buffon later said he met Wenger for dinner in 1998, when he was 20. Wenger also said Arsenal had targeted Barcelona academy graduates Gerard Piqué, Cesc Fabregas and Lionel Messi. Fabregas joined Arsenal, while Piqué moved to Manchester United before returning to Barcelona.

Messi remained in Spain and later played for Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. Raphaël Varane was identified by Wenger during his development at Lens, but Arsenal did not complete a deal before Real Madrid signed him. Vincent Kompany was considered as a possible replacement for Sol Campbell in 2006, but eventually joined Hamburg and later became a Manchester City captain.

Gareth Bale was another missed opportunity. Wenger said Arsenal decided against signing him from Southampton because Ashley Cole and Gaël Clichy already occupied the left-back position. Bale later became a major star at Tottenham and Real Madrid.

Midfielders Claude Makélélé and Yaya Touré also featured among Wenger’s unrealised targets. Makélélé was reportedly close to joining Arsenal, while Touré trained with the club and played in a pre-season match. Wenger later cited work-permit and passport complications.

Ronaldinho was blocked by work-permit rules after Arsenal met his brother and agent. Cristiano Ronaldo also visited Arsenal, although the supplied material ends before detailing the circumstances of the proposed transfer.