Manuel Neuer has revealed that Arsenal tried to sign him before he joined Bayern Munich, explaining why he decided to remain in Germany.
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been a key figure with the German side for the last 14 and a half years, but the 39-year-old’s career could have been very different if he’d made another choice early on.
Speaking to the media this month, Neuer admitted that before he joined Bayern, FC Koln were after him. But overseas, Neuer insists Arsenal were also interested.
“Very interested,” Neuer confirmed. “But I didn’t want to go abroad because I knew it would be difficult as a youth national team goalkeeper. You might not be able to really get a foothold on the island (in England). You need to have a good reputation to become the number one.”
It’s not clear exactly when Arsenal made their move, with reports only suggesting it was after Neuer’s promotion from Schalke’s u19 team. That’s a pretty vague timeline, with Neuer playing in Schalke’s first-team from 2006/07 until 2010/11.
The German goalkeeper ultimately got what he wanted, breaking into the national team and winning the World Cup in 2014, whilst also proving very successful with Bayern Munich.
Germany hasn’t provided much competition for domestic trophy wins over the course of Neuer’s career, with Bayern walking to the title most seasons. But Neuer did also win a couple of Champions Leagues with the club, so there’s no denying he’s achieved a lot in club football.
For Arsenal, it’s yet another instance of what might have been during Arsene Wenger’s managerial reign at the club. The Gunners were almost always in the conversation for every top player during Wenger’s spell, but they were often unable to get deals over the line.
The construction of the Emirates Stadium and subsequent debts certainly played a part, but it’s a shame so many potentially significant additions passed the club by.