Former Barcelona and Spain striker David Villa has revealed that he was on the verge of joining Arsenal in 2013 before the deal fell through at the last minute.
The 38-year-old, who hung up his boots last month after a 19-year career, made his name in Spain before playing in the United States and Japan.
But it could have been very different had a proposed move to the Emirates gone ahead following talks with manager Arsene Wenger.
The former striker, who was playing for Barcelona at the time, told BBC Sport: 'We were in a lot of meetings and a lot of calls.
'I felt 90% in that moment that I [would] go to Arsenal and Arsene Wenger.
'But in that moment we didn't arrive to the deal, Atletico Madrid arrived and in three or four days fixed everything.'
After three trophy-laden seasons at Barcelona, Villa joined LaLiga rivals Atletico for less than £5million in the summer of 2013.
He would go on to score 15 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions, helping Diego Simeone's men upset the odds by beating Barcelona and Real Madrid to the title.
'I don't know what would have happened if I'd signed for Arsenal,' Villa added.
'I'm very happy that I signed for Atletico Madrid, not just for winning the league but for everything. I'm very happy to have made that choice.'
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We almost signed Ronaldo and Messi, so this is not a big news.