Former Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin was a target for Arsenal back in 2012, but has now revealed that the North London club made him a tempting offer back in 2005 as well, according to Turkish publication NTV Spor.
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Currently plying his trade in Germany with Borussia Dortmund, Sahin has been excellent lately. He has had the chance to make a permanent move to the Premier League a couple of times, and has opened up about the first instance.
“After my performance in the U-17 European Championship Arsenal made a very attractive offer,” he said.
“However, my mum, dad and older brother thought I was too young and wanted me to stay.
“I ended up staying but it was enough to get the attention of Dortmund who gave me a professional contract and started playing me from a young age.”
Arsene Wenger is known to be a fan of the Turkish midfielder, but has missed out on him twice. He seemed close to a move to the Emirates in 2012, but instead opted to join Liverpool on loan. He struggled to adjust to life in the Premier League though, and didn’t last long at Anfield.
He seems well suited to the Bundesliga, where he has thrived during two seperate spells. Perhaps he will be ready for a return to the English top flight at some point in his career, but for the moment he seems happy in Germany.