Long-term Manchester United target Antoine Griezmann has now revealed that he would never sign for Arsenal after the way the club treated him back in 2013.

During the Frenchman’s time with Real Sociedad, he was linked with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, and was informed about the potential interest from the latter by their scout Giles Grimandi. Griezmann found the offer so tempting that he reportedly told his agent Eric Olhats not to listen to any other offers as he was in a hope of signing a grand deal with the Gunners.

Griezmann, for the first time in career, broke into the double figures at the end of the 2012-13 season and besides Arsenal, a certain Manchester United were also credited with a strong interest. The Frenchman’s agent, however, was in touch with Giles Grimandi.

Ironically, in the same window, the infamous incident saw Arsenal lose out on Luis Suarez despite offering a massive £40million. Besides, the then Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain was named in the list as well. The Argentine international, however, opted to join Juventus instead and Arsenal were left empty-handed.

And now, Griezmann, who has a €100m release clause, has revealed that he was eventually Arsenal’s choice for the striker’s role, but the move failed to materialise as the Gunners were holding back until the eleventh hour of the transfer window.

Writing in his new autobiography, Behind the Smile (quoted by DailyMail), Griezmann revealed:

“I waited, I waited, and I kept waiting. When there was no news, Eric called Grimandi, who said that the manager was still interested in me [and] to keep waiting.

“Finally a few hours before the market closed, he let us know Arsenal would not make a move. I don’t like to be told something and for it not to happen.

“So when Eric told me later that the London club were interested again I told him ‘Forget it, after the blow they gave us”.

Eventually, Arsenal opted to sign Yaya Sanogo that summer and the rest, as they say, is history.

The Frenchman, this time around, is back in the news and is now firmly linked with a move to Manchester United. The Red Devils reportedly came close to signing him last summer, but with Atletico Madrid failing in their attempt to lift the transfer ban, the move failed to materialise.

What a blunder from Arsenal this is! Not the first time we’re hearing such stories though. Nothing surprising about this.