Arsene Wenger invited Cristiano Ronaldo to visit Arsenal's training ground in 2002 in an attempt to beat Manchester United to the Portuguese's signature, former Sporting Lisbon coach Laszlo Boloni has revealed.
Boloni promoted Ronaldo from the youth ranks at Sporting Lisbon to the senior side and switched his position from centre-forward to the wing. The Romanian coach is considered one of Ronaldo's mentors in the game.
The coach was very aware that Ronaldo was a wanted man and Wenger was keen on taking the promising youngster to Arsenal in 2002.
And a number of French sides were also on Ronaldo's tail.
Boloni revealed to Inside Futbol: "There was a lot of interest in Cristiano Ronaldo. I remember Arsene Wenger collecting information about Ronaldo.
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"He invited him in 2002 to Arsenal's training ground.
"Also many French clubs were interested in him."
Boloni though believes it was always likely that Ronaldo would join Manchester United due to the English club's close relationship with Sporting Lisbon.
"At that time Manchester United had a good relationship with Sporting Lisbon. It was normal for Ronaldo to move to Manchester United and it was a great choice from him", he added.
Ronaldo eventually signed for Manchester United in the summer of 2003, costing the Red Devils a fee of £12.2m to snap up from Sporting Lisbon.
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