Arsenal Transfer News: Harry Redknapp Makes Harry Kane, Per Mertesacker Claim

Harry Redknapp has revealed how Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane was apparently responsible for Arsenal's transfer of Per Mertesacker back in 2011.

The former Spurs manager said that the Gunners originally planned on signing Scott Dann, who was playing for Birmingham at the time, via the Daily Telegraph (h/t Daily Star's Alex Harris).

Manager Arsene Wenger sent assistant Pat Rice and chief scout Steve Rowley to scout Dann in an under-21 match against Tottenham, where Kane played as a striker. And what they saw made them change their minds:

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They saw a brilliant performance by Harry. He scored four goals that day. Arsenal decided not to sign Scott Dann and eventually got Per Mertesacker instead. ...

Harry is an all-round player, perfectly suited to playing as the one man up front in the system that most clubs now employ. He can hold the ball up, link the play, bring others into the game and is a great finisher.

He is excellent in the air and, although he is not a flying machine in terms of his pace, he is a strong, powerful runner and has become quicker than people think.

"

Dann would eventually move to Blackburn before joining Crystal Palace, while Arsenal signed Mertesacker from Werder Bremen. At the time, the Germany international was regarded as one of the best up-and-coming defenders in the world, and the transfer seemed like a safer one than a move for Dann.

Mertesacker has been a regular for the Gunners ever since, although his time at the Emirates Stadium has been far from perfect. Frequently mocked for his lack of pace, the 31-year-old has struggled guarding quicker players.

Top Corner couldn't help but take a shot at him during the 2-2 draw against Spurs:

Dann had to work to stay in the Premier League but has been one of the unsung heroes of the 2015-16 campaign, putting together consistently strong performances for Crystal Palace. According to Steve Stammers of the Daily Mirror, Chelsea are eyeing the 29-year-old as a replacement for John Terry.

He's even been mentioned as a candidate to join England in France for the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament this summer, and sports commentator Ian Abrahams wouldn't mind that one bit:

Back in 2011, fans would have chosen Mertesacker over Dann in a heartbeat, and most of the Arsenal faithful would probably still go with the German. Dann would have provided some much-needed depth in the central area, however, something that could have worked wonders for the Gunners' title challenge.

Arsenal currently sit eight points out of first place in the Premier League, and six behind Spurs, although they hold a match in hand on their rivals. Kane has unsurprisingly been the driving force behind Tottenham's title bid and currently leads the league in scoring along with Leicester City's Jamie Vardy.

As noted by Harris, the England international has an Arsenal history, as he was released from their youth setup at the age of nine. It's a decision the Gunners undoubtedly rue, and not just because Spurs sit above them in the standings thanks to his scoring exploits. According to ESPN Stats & Info, the 22-year-old has made a habit out of punishing his old side:

Redknapp's latest revelation presents yet another twist in Kane's remarkable history with Arsenal, albeit a minor one. Dann has established himself as a fine defender, but he's hardly a world-class option who would have transformed the Gunners should he have joined instead of Mertesacker.

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