Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has claimed that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was previously interested in a switch to the Bernabeu.
Despite being with the Gunners since 1996, Wenger has been linked with Real on a number of occasions and Calderon claims that the Frenchman was attracted to the idea of leading the La Liga club.
"I imagine that anyone – be it a coach or a player – at some time in their career is interested in coming to a club like Real Madrid, especially when you have been at a club for 15 years, or however long, in England," he told reporters.
"Anyone working in any other industry would be interested in change. I think it's a good idea to have a coach who has a long-term plan.
"He was talking to me about Real Madrid and, at that time, he was very interested in the club and what was happening. I remember he said, 'Are you going to Hollywood again, or to make a football team?' He meant are you going for film-star Galacticos or to make a proper football team."
Wenger will celebrate his 19th anniversary in North London at the end of this month.
Callum Mulvihill
