Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he was close to signing David Beckham during the England midfielder's time at Real Madrid.
Beckham initially struggled at the Spanish club after his move from Manchester United and Wenger opened negotiations to take him back to England in 2004.
But the deal collapsed as Beckham opted to stay and fight for his place at Real.
"David almost came to Arsenal a couple of years ago when things did not go too well during his first season with Real," Wenger told the Daily Express.
"I even met the people who took care of his career, but in the end, David decided to remain at Real."
Wenger has got a chance to see what might have been this month. Beckham, now at LA Galaxy, has been training with Arsenal because he wants to keep fit for England duty during the MLS close-season.
