Ex-Serie A star reveals rejected Arsenal offer: ‘Wenger wanted me’

GENEVA – JUNE 05: Gokhan Inler (C) of Switzerland is challenged by Gennaro Gattuso (L) and Riccardo Montolivo of Italy during the international friendly match between Switzerland and Italy at Stade de Geneve ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa on June 5, 2010 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Former Swiss international Gökhan Inler reveals Arsene Wenger wanted to sign him at Arsenal, but Udinese rejected the Gunners’ approach.

Former Udinese midfielder Inler, now a director for the Bianconeri, could have joined Arsenal as a footballer.

The ex-midfielder revealed the Gunners’ interest during his latest interview with The Italian Football Podcast.

“Of course, during this time, I had an agent. I didn’t have so much information as I was concentrating on the pitch. Yes, the rumours were there. Behind the scenes, now I understand what happens behind the scenes, but before, you don’t know what’s going on,” Inler said.

“But yeah, it could be, I read about this. But I can say, and many people don’t know about this, but in my first year at Udine, I had an offer from Arsenal. However, the club said no, Inler is part of our project, so I stayed here four years.

“Yes, Arsene Wenger wanted me, correct. As I said, I didn’t know what was going around, but I was also a Swiss national team player with Johan Djourou and Philippe Senderos were Arsenal players. That’s why I saw the coach with the national team, but in the end the club decided to keep me, and I had a great four years with Udinese.”

Inler won the Premier League title with Leicester City in 2015-16 and opened up about his rapport with Jamie Vardy during the same interview.

A former Swiss midfielder, Inler played for Udinese and Napoli in Serie A, scoring 15 goals in 259 appearances in Italy’s top flight.

Inler, 41, made his senior Switzerland debut in February 2006 and scored seven goals in 89 international matches.

Inler was appointed as Udinese’s Head of the Technical Area last summer. The 41-year-old played 162 games with the Bianconeri as a footballer, scoring nine goals.

During his time in Italy, Inler won two Coppa Italia titles and one Supercoppa Italiana with Napoli.