Gaspart: Wenger Nearly Joined Barca
Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has revealed that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wanted to join the Spanish side in 2001, but was stopped from doing so by the London club.
Speaking to Com Radio in Barcelona, Gaspart recalled the club's negotiations with several managerial candidates ahead of the 2001/2002 season.
"When I was president [of Barcelona], when [former manager] Llorenc Serra Ferrer left [in 2001] we negotiated with Arsène Wenger and Fabio Capello to coach Barca," Gaspart said, revealing that the current England manager was also wanted by the Catalan club nine years ago.
According to Gaspart, Wenger came close to joining Barcelona only five years after taking over at Arsenal.
"I met Wenger in Paris. He wanted to come to Barca, but Arsenal didn't let him," said Gaspart. "The Arsenal chairman ordered him to fulfil his contract."
Wenger, who would have broken his first contract as manager if he had left Arsenal at the time, is still in charge of Arsenal today.
Gaspart's Poor Record at Barca
Gaspart is regarded as one of Barcelona's worst presidents to date, having bought Marc Overmars and Emmanuel Petit from Arsenal with the money generated by the sale of Luis Figo to Real Madrid.
Gaspart's presidency, which lasted from 2000 to 2003, coincided with current Spain coach Vicente del Bosque's successful reign as manager of Real Madrid.
During those years, Real Madrid won La Liga twice and claimed the Champions League title in 2002.
Meanwhile, both Spanish manager Carles Rexach and Dutchman Louis Van Gaal failed to lead Barcelona to any notable successes between 2001 and 2003.
Negotiating with Wenger
Gaspart, whose former club has been pursuing the transfer of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas for several seasons, also offered some advice for current Barcelona president Sandro Rosell.
"You have to meet [Wenger] face to face to know if he is bluffing," Gaspart said of his negotiating experiences with the Arsenal boss.
"My advice, and that's what I've told [Rosell], is that this will end by catching the plane to London and sitting down face to face with Wenger."
Barcelona have until August 31 to complete a deal for Fabregas.
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