Lionel Messi was “tempted to go to Arsenal” back in 2003, claims the Barcelona star's former agent Fabian Soldini, with the Gunners expressing interest when luring Cesc Fabregas away from Catalunya.
One product of the famed La Masia academy system was welcomed onto the books in north London.
Fabregas went on to spend eight years with the Gunners, becoming club captain along the way, before returning to his roots at Barca in 2011.
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He was reunited with Messi when making that move, with the subsequent six-time Ballon d’Or winner having opted to stay put.