Pjanic had agreed Emirates Stadium switch before opting for Roma.
Miralem Pjanic has revealed he nearly joined Arsenal on August transfer deadline day 2011 but his father had already promised him to Roma.
The playmaker moved to the Serie A outfit from Lyon on 31 August 2011 and has become a key part of the Italians’ team, making 27 league appearances last term.
The Bosnia and Herzogovina international has attracted attention from Premier League outfit Tottenham – who are set to appoint former Roma sporting director Franco Baldini to a similar role this week – but the 23-year-old has revealed he nearly joined Spurs’ north London rivals Arsenal.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had reportedly agreed to pay £9.5m for the playmaker, who admits he had a deal agreed at the Emirates Stadium but headed to the Giallorossi after a promise made by his father.
“I had a number of offers at the time and I was set to join Arsenal,” he told Avaz Sport. “I had agreed all of the conditions that had been put into place.
“However, my father had given his word to Roma and therefore I opted to sign for the Giallorossi instead.”
Watch Pjanic stunning goal for Roma in the Rome derby against Lazio below:
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