Fulham star Tim Ream has disclosed how close he came to joining Arsenal earlier in his career. The revelation sheds light on yet another nearly-signed player in the Gunners’ history, alongside notable names like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Recounting the pivotal moment, in a recent interview on The Big Interview with the Premier League, Ream, who currently earns £30,000-a-week, shared insights into the potential move.
“Owen Coyle when signing you said something very interesting. I don’t think it was picked up on that much, that you were followed by some big teams including Arsenal. How close were you to joining Arsenal at one point?” Ream was questioned.
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Fulham defender Tim Ream (Image credit: Getty Images)
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“That move got blocked actually. With the way MLS works the club doesn’t own you, the league owns your rights. After my rookie year there were conversations between my agent, Arsenal, MLS, New York and there was this big thing going on. I don’t know how close it was, I just said to everyone ‘either get it done or don’t. If it’s done let me know, if not I don’t want it hanging over me as a cloud,'” Ream disclosed.
Reflecting on the missed opportunity, it’s intriguing to consider the potential impact Ream could have had at Arsenal. Despite spending the majority of his career in the Championship, Ream has showcased remarkable technical ability in recent seasons, hinting at Premier League calibre.
Notably, Pep Guardiola expressed admiration for Ream’s talent after a Fulham-Manchester City clash last year, indicating he would have signed him if younger. Such commendation underscores the untapped potential that could have flourished under the guidance of a manager like Arsene Wenger.
While the hypotheticals remain speculative, the notion of Ream donning the Arsenal colours prompts curiosity about the heights he could have reached under different circumstances. Though the missed opportunity leaves room for contemplation, it serves as a reminder of the intricate web of factors that shape a player’s career trajectory.
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