Gary Cahill has revealed he almost joined Arsenal six years ago from Aston Villa before eventually heading to Chelsea six months later.
Cahill, who was just 25 years of age at the time, transferred to Chelsea from Bolton for what has proved to be a bargain £7million fee as Arsene Wenger’s side opted to sign Per Mertesacker instead of the England international.
Now a 31-year-old and a crucial part of Antonio Conte’s Premier League-winning side, Cahill will go up against Arsenal on Saturday afternoon at Wembley in the FA Cup final.
In quotes published by the Daily Express, Cahill revealed that the two clubs failed to agree a fee but failed to disclose whether he wanted to move to north London instead of west London.
“It was close. The move broke down on the fee, nothing to do with me,” Cahill said.
“It never got down to whether or not I wanted to go there, it was between the two clubs. They showed interest, but they couldn’t agree a fee.”
It is believed that the Gunners had two bids of £6million and £12million turned down to sign Cahill, who has since won two Premier League titles, as well as the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup.
Chelsea’s number 24 has been a warrior at the back for Conte’s side in the middle of a back three, wearing the captain’s armband as club skipper John Terry watched from the sidelines.
Making 42 league and cup appearances, Cahill starred as he helped keep 18 clean sheets and even found the back of the net on eight separate occasions against the likes of Everton, Man United and Leicester.