Perez: Wenger held Madrid talks
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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has confirmed he held a series of talks with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
Although they reached the semi-finals in the Champions League and FA Cup last season, many felt The Gunners failed to live up to expectations and there was strong criticism from some fans.
Wenger then sparked rumours he could be ready to head to the Bernabeu when he admitted he was unhappy with the club’s home supporters and said that the Madrid post was ‘strongly interesting’.
And Perez, who eventually turned to Villarreal boss Manuel Pellegrini, has now revealed that he did speak to Wenger on numerous occasions before the Frenchman opted to remain in England.
"From the beginning we have worked on two possibilities – Wenger and Pellegrini," he told L'Equipe.
"We have always been attracted by the Frenchman and we talked to him several times.
"He didn't come because he feels very responsible about what has happened and what will happen at Arsenal.
“He didn't want to abandon the club that he has given such a lot to, but as [director general Jorge] Valdano said, 'Pellegrini is the Wenger of Spanish football'."