Former Ghana international Shilla Illiasu has opened up on why his move to Premier League side Arsenal fell through.
Illiasu was one of the standout players for the Black Stars at their maiden appearance at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany as he helped them reach the Round of 16 stage.
His performances caught the eyes of several coaches including ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who showed interest in signing him.
However, the move couldn't materialised between his former employers (Asante Kotoko and King Faisal) and himself as he eventually ended up at Russian outfit Saturn FC.
Speaking to Asempa FM in an interview, the 37-year-old revealed why he didn't complete a move to Arsenal.
“Arsene Wenger told me that he had monitored me against Czech Republic (at the World Cup) and believes that I’m one of the best defenders in Africa. He told me he wanted to sign me to Arsenal to help his team," he said.
"I started training with them and after the third training session, the agent called and confirmed Wenger was impressed and wanted to sign me.
"Later, the agent called and requested that I speak with Alhaji Grunsah because he was being stubborn. And that I should also engage Kotoko, Kwabena Kesse (Kessben) was then the CEO.
"I remember I spoke to him and Mr. Kesse told me they were still in talks with Arsenal and assured me my future remained the central focus".
He added, "It was later that I realised that Alhaji was the biggest problem. He personally wrote a letter to Arsenal telling them that I was his bonafide property."
"So the agent asked what is Alhaji saying. The agent asked me that can’t you talk to Alhaji because he is trying to bring problem?
"Because Alhaji wrote to Arsenal that I was his bonafide property and that time too I was a Kotoko player.
"What I know is that Alhaji had a percentage, my transfer from King Faisal to Kotoko wasn’t an outright deal so Alhaji had a percentage (stake) in me.
"So when the Arsenal deal was to go through, Kotoko was trying to tell Alhaji he was getting close to nothing from the deal and Alhaji also did his things."
He concluded, "So these are some of the things I feel sad to remember. It's not easy, I remember shedding tears over this in a radio interview sometime back."