Cristiano Ronaldo could have joined Arsenal

Gunners took too long to decide whether they wanted to sign the Portuguese winger

The agent of Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo believes that Arsenal were too slow in deciding whether to make a move for the Portuguese, allowing Manchester United to buy the winger.

Jorge Mendes claims the north Londoners watched Ronaldo a number of times when he played for Sporting Lisbon, as well as former United team mate Nani.

“I remember what happened to Ronaldo at Arsenal,” he said. “They watched him nine or ten times, and when everything seemed decided, then Manchester United played at the inauguration of the Alvaladze Stadium (Sporting Lisbon) and the players themselves urged Ferguson to buy him.

“Nani was also followed by Tottenham and Arsenal, but as I say, who sleeps in business loses.”

Ronaldo went on to make 194 appearances for United before leaving for Real Madrid in 2009 for £80million, where he has so far scored 103 goals in 94 League matches.