Former Arsenal and Real Madrid striker reveals he could have joined Barcelona – ‘I was very close’ | OneFootball

French football legend Nicolas Anelka has recently sat down for an interview with SPORT.

While the full interview will be out this weekend, the Spanish publication has shared a portion of the conversation where the former footballer revealed he was close to joining Barcelona early on in his career.

Anelka on Barcelona interest

First and foremost, Anelka, upon his arrival in Spain for an event, admitted he likes the country, stating, “I don’t know much about the city because I haven’t had time to visit it. But I like Spain.”

The report adds that Anelka was courted by Barcelona back in 1997, when the youngster was just 18 and was plying his trade for Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcelona, then under the leadership of Bobby Robson, were among the clubs keen on acquiring his services.

Anelka admitted Barcelona were indeed interested in his services, but he ended up joining Arsenal.

Anelka could have joined Barcelona in 1997. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

“Yes, I was very close. I had a chance to come when I was playing for PSG, as a youngster. But I signed for Arsenal and went to England in February of that year, with Arsène Wenger,” he said.

Anelka joined the Gunners in the summer of 1997 for just under a million euros. He played in North London for two years before joining Real Madrid in a deal worth €35 million.

“After that, I had the opportunity to play for Real Madrid. So that’s where I signed to play in Spain,” he said.

Anelka’s stint at the Bernabeu lasted only a year as he rejoined PSG in 2000. But although he did not join Barcelona at the time, he is now captivated by the current team managed by Hansi Flick.

While former Real Madrid star Anelka was close to joining Barcelona, one of Barça’s icons, David Villa, has curiously revealed that he was close to joining Real Madrid in 2009.