ARSENE WENGER could have signed 50million Arsenal target Dayot Upamecano for just 1m in 2015, according to reports.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for the RB Leipzig centre-back for months but they could have snapped him up on the cheap five years ago.
Having scouted the then 16-year-old, French outlet La Voix Du Nord claim Wenger’s Arsenal were working on a deal to sign the defender from Valenciennes for just 1m – or TWO PER CENT of what he is worth now.
But after the deal fell through, the Gunners continued to tail the 21-year-old as he blossomed.
Having signed for RB Salzburg in 2015, Upamecano eventually moved on to sister club Leipzig in 2017 and has shone in the Bundesliga since.
And such has been his spike in form, clubs around Europe are now interested in the Frenchman and will have to pay around 50m to land him.
Tottenham are also said to be interested in his services and if the Gunners let him through the net, he will join a long line of stars the North Londoners have missed out on.
Such is the amount of big-hitters Arsenal have let slide, SunSport compiled a full XI of big names they could have landed.
Goalkeeper – Gianluigi Buffon
Juventus icon came close to joining the Gunners in 2011.
Defender – Gerard Pique
Wenger wanted to bring La Masia product Pique to North London at the same time as Cesc Fabregas, and was incredibly close to doing so before a failed work permit scuppered the deal.
Defender – Virgil Van Dijk
Emirates side blew the chance to sign Prem’s best defender because they thought he was “too nonchalant”, according to ex-Celtic assistant manager John Collins.
Defender – Raphael Varane
In 2013, Wenger said: He was at Lens, and we might well have caught him there.
Midfielder – N’Golo Kante
Arsenal looked into a move for energetic midfielder before Leicester snapped him up for just 5.6m in August 2015.
Midfielder – Paul Pogba
Wenger said in 2014: “We were interested in him.
“We tried to get him to come here, but he very quickly signed for Juventus.”
Winger – Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo had been shown around Arsenals London Colney training complex, while a 4million deal was agreed for the 18-year-old.
But after the skillful youngster gave the United defence the run-around in a friendly against Sporting Lisbon, Sir Alex Ferguson made sure that the Portuguese headed for Old Trafford instead.
Winger – Gareth Bale
Arsenal were monitoring the progress of Welsh superstar Gareth Bale at the same time as Theo Walcott while the pair were at Southampton.
Wenger said it was a “huge mistake” not snapping him up.
Forward – Lionel Messi
Arsenal offered the Argentine a contract at the end of the 2002/03 season.
Forward – Kylian Mbappe
Wenger held talks with World Cup winner over a switch prior to his 165m PSG move.
Forward – Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Arsenal came close to signing the then 19-year-old Ibrahimovic while he was still at Malmo, but the striker didnt respond well to being asked to play in a trial match.
He bragged: No way, Zlatan doesnt do auditions.
Sub – Sadio Mane
The Gunners could have signed the 27-year-old from Metz for 3.6m in 2012, according to Mane’s mentor Mady Toure.
And now the ex-Southampton man is worth at least 100m and is about to win the Premier League with Liverpool.
