Arsenal tried to sign Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill from Bolton Wanderers before he moved to Stamford Bridge, according to former Gunners striker Alan Smith.
The north London club have been linked with a fresh move for Cahill in recent weeks, with the England defender expected to depart the Blues in January.
Could Arsenal be in for Gary Cahill again? Five things to know…
- According to Smith, Cahill held talks with former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger while he was at Bolton.
- Cahill eventually moved to London with Premier League rivals Chelsea in 2012 and went on to win six major honours with the Blues.
- But the 32-year-old has fallen out of favour since the arrival of manager Maurizio Sarri.
- His contract expires next summer but Cahill, who is also linked with Fulham and Man Utd, is expected to leave Chelsea next month.
- Rob Holding’s season was ended by a knee injury this month and Arsenal might choose to replace him next month.
Former Gunners striker turned football commentator Smith has revealed how Wenger did his best to sign the former England international before his transfer to Chelsea.
Smith, though, now believes that the 32-year-old is past his best and suggests current Arsenal manager Unai Emery should look for defensive ammunition elsewhere.
“Arsenal should have signed Gary Cahill before he went to Chelsea,” Smith told Express Sport.
“He spoke and had a meeting with Arsene Wenger and it didn’t happen. But he went on to become a fine, fine defender.
“Now you’d be signing somebody who’s in his later years and is not at his peak. I don’t see that as a goer.”
Cahill’s time at Chelsea all but over
The former England captain has enjoyed a fine career in football, rising through the English leagues before finally getting a big move when Chelsea came calling.
Forging a solid partnership with Chelsea legend John Terry in the heart of the defence, Cahill has proved himself as one of England’s finest centre-backs across a number of seasons.
However, Cahill has slowly been ushered out of the Blues’ matchday squad and has been forced to experience this season as a spectator, playing just 21 minutes of Premier League football so far this term.
New Chelsea manager Sarri doesn’t see any space in his squad for Cahill and has suggested that he does not have the technical ability to play in defence for his team.
Whether Cahill would be a good fit at Arsenal – on a short-term loan or on a transfer – is up for debate. His leadership is unquestionable and his ability to hold his nerve in the big matches has rarely been doubted.
However, Arsenal fans are surely anticipating a more high-profile signing to join Emery’s ranks at the Emirates, a quota Cahill, who is also linked with Fulham and Manchester United, no longer fills.
At 32 years of age, Cahill’s career is far from over and it will be interesting to see where the defender moves to next.
The post How Arsenal tried and failed to sign Chelsea defender Gary Cahill appeared first on Squawka News.
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