Arsenal Transfer News: Angel Di Maria Approach Revealed by Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger has admitted he nearly signed Manchester United's Angel Di Maria for Arsenal as a 17-year-old but failed on account of the Argentinian not being granted a work permit.

The Frenchman says he identified the former Real Madrid star as a youngster and wanted to bring him to north London for free but could not make the move stick.

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The Gunners are currently having similar issues with the signing of Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista, with Wenger arguing that work permit regulations should be scrapped, per John Cross in the Mirror:

"

We had identified Di Maria when he was 17. We wanted him to come here. So he goes to Portugal [with Benfica], from Portugal he goes to Spain. Why? Because he could not get a work permit. That means you can only get him to England once he is worth a huge amount of money. [...]

Let's open it completely. We live in a world where artificial protection is negative.

"

Di Maria did indeed eventually make it to England, but for a big fee, moving to Old Trafford for £59.7 million in the summer after starring in Real's Champions League-winning 2013-14 campaign.

The 26-year-old joins a number of world superstars who Wenger has claimed he nearly brought to the Gunners, including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, per David Wright in the Express.

Signing Di Maria for free at 17 would certainly have been a coup for Wenger considering how the Argentina international has turned into one of the world's best players in his time at Benfica, Real and now United, per StatsBomb's Ted Knutson:

However, Wenger will simply have to add him to his ever-growing list of ones who got away and hope Di Maria does not inflict too much damage on his side when Arsenal visit Old Trafford on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season.

Arsenal's current struggles in signing Paulista are also down to work permit issues with the Brazilian centre-back not qualifying automatically having not yet represented his country internationally, per BBC Sport.

Wenger suggests the chances of Arsenal signing Paulista are "50-50", per Cross, and Bleacher Report's James McNicholas believes he would be a fine addition to the Gunners' squad, although he is likely to cost around €20 million (£15 million):

Arsenal have struggled with a lack of depth in defence this season but proved they have the quality to finish the season near the top of the table when beating Manchester City 2-0 last weekend.

Paulista would add quality, depth and solidity if Wenger can complete his signing, which could be key for the Gunners as the season moves on.