Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed that he attempted to sign Frenchman Paul Pogba in the summer of 2012, following his departure from Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson felt the central midfielder was surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, and subsequently let him depart in his penultimate season in charge of the Red Devils.

The 21-year-old opted to join current Serie A leaders Juventus, but Wenger has expressed his admiration of the former Roissy-en-Brie, Torcy and Le Havre youth product.

As a footballer, he has everything. It is difficult to figure out what he doesn't have. Things happened very quickly. We were interested in him. We tried to get him to come here.

Wenger instead signed splashed out £47.2 million on four new arrivals; who have all featured regularly in the first team following their move to the Emirates Stadium.

Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud, Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal moved to North London, with Cazorla ultimately signing in replacement of failed signing Pogba.

Speaking about his appreciation for the 21-time internationally capped youngster, who was named by The Guardian as one of the ten most promising young players in Europe earlier in the year, Wenger said:

"As a footballer, he [Pogba] has everything. It is difficult to figure out what he doesn't have. Things happened very quickly. We were interested in him. We tried to get him to come here. But he very quickly signed for Juventus. He has the potential to win the Ballon d'Or."

Since his arrival at the Juventus Stadium, having since represented his club over 70 times, Pogba has claimed two Serie A titles, while picking up the Best Young Player award at the recent World Cup in Rio De Janeiro.

Pogba was recently cited to have struggled in his national team’s friendly against minnows Albania, but has stressed he didn’t take the match lightly. He claimed:

"I would say it was a good lesson for me. It's true that I was on a roll and the game against Albania taught me because you have to get down. I was not cocky but you never know.

"Against Albania, it was a tough game, the player I was defending scored, it happens.

"Not even the best always play good games and it's a good lesson for me. I know I didn't give my best, I could have done a lot more, it was a day like that.

"I learnt and I hope the next game I'll wake up and I'll give my best and we'll quickly forget this game against Albania."

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About the author
Kane Brooker
Kane is an 18-year-old Sports Journalist who predominantly covers Manchester United FC while having a heavy involvement in the Boxing office. Having joined the VAVEL team back in October 2014, he has previously featured for Sky Sports News while writing regularly for The Non-League Paper. Kane is also the club reporter, programme editor and press and communications officer for Walton Casuals Football Club.