Benfica’s left-winger Angel Di Maria revealed he was very close to join Arsenal and was looking forward to learn from Arsene Wenger, only that the transfer never took place.

Angel di Maria won Gold for Argentina in Beijing 2008

The 21-year old Argentinian is quoted as saying by the News of the World:

I don’t know exactly what happened with my proposed transfer to Arsenal.

I was very excited about joining them but it never happened. From what I’ve been told, the transfer money that was supposed to appear, never appeared.

And just a day-and-a-half later, Benfica heard about the problem, showed interest in me and quickly hired me. But I am sure that Arsene Wenger would have had a lot to teach me.