A takeover bid fronted by Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp could have helped to lure some huge signings to Arsenal this summer.
Following the protests last week, there has been talk of takeover from Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek, with Henry, Vieira and Bergkamp all joining the lifelong fan’s ambitious attempt to take control at the Emirates.
Stan Kroenke, though, doesn’t appear to be in any mood to sell, having released a statement on Tuesday insisting he is fully committed to the club.
The statement said: “In recent days we have noted media speculation regarding a potential takeover bid for Arsenal Football Club. We remain 100% committed to Arsenal and are not selling any stake in the Club. We have not received any offer and we will not entertain any offer.
But, had a deal gone ahead, Mirror Sport takes a look at the four huge signings Arsenal could have made this summer.
Donny van de Beek
Holland midfielder Van de Beek could have been in line for a move for perhaps more personal reasons.
The Dutchman can’t buy a game at Manchester United, having joined from Ajax last summer.
Interestingly, Van de Beek is actually dating Bergkamp’s daughter Estelle, and the couple have been together for some time now.
The legendary Dutch forward was also Van de Beek’s coach during his academy days at Ajax, so the pair are very well acquainted.
Nabil Fekir
With two of France’s most iconic players of all-time leading the club, surely Arsenal would have been a place where the countries top talents want to play.
The Gunners are looking for a new playmaker, and Real Betis’ Fekir has been linked with a switch to the Emirates in the past.
It’s thought that the 27-year-old, who has also been linked with Liverpool, may be available for a cut price this summer too.
The possibility of playing under the watchful eyes of Henry and Vieira would have no doubt attracted the Frenchman.
Memphis Depay
Dutch forward Depay’s first spell in the Premier League didn’t work out too well as he flopped at Manchester United.
The 27-year-old is an altogether different player these days though, and is a leading player for Lyon and Holland.
Depay is set to be available on a free transfer this summer with his contract in Ligue 1 expiring, and he could have been Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's long-term successor.
And if he had Dutch legend Bergkamp and Henry guiding his prime years, there's no limits to the heights Depay could have reached.
Houssem Aouar
Perhaps the player who has been linked with Arsenal the most without actually joining, could this finally have been the summer that Aouar became a Gunner?
In Vieira's shadow, Aouar would surely know that he could take his career to a whole new level.
Lyon are unlikely to want to let one of their best players leave this summer, especially with Depay heading out, so he would have come at some cost.
