2010 World Cup winner David Villa has explained why his proposed move to English giants Arsenal fell through when he was still at FC Barcelona in 2013.
Villa has enjoyed a trophy-laden career before he hung up his boots in December 2019 at Japanese outfit Vissel Kobe.
During the latter sages of his of his Barcelona stint, Villa had been linked with a number of clubs but eventually chose to join fellow LaLiga outfit in 2013.
However, the Spanish World Cup winner reveals he was very close to joining the Gunners seven years ago before Atletico swooped in.
"We were in a lot of meetings and a lot of calls," Villa said an interview with BBC Sport.
"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.
"I don't know what would have happened if I'd signed for Arsenal. 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."
