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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has told BBC Sport he attempted to sign Cristiano Ronaldo before the winger joined Manchester United in August 2003.
Wenger's move for the Portuguese winger Ronaldo stalled because of United's links with Sporting Lisbon.
Wenger said: "He was here much earlier - he could tell you that if he wants.
"Manchester United had a partnership with Sporting Lisbon when United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz moved and that made it very difficult."
Wenger refused to elaborate any further when questioned about Ronaldo's time with Arsenal.
"I don't want to create any story that isn't needed," the Frenchman told BBC football correspondent Jonathan Legard.
Ronaldo has been in sensational form all season, scoring 29 goals as well as setting up countless others for the Premier League leaders.
Since joining Arsenal in 1996, Wenger has established a unparallelled reputation for identifying and buying Europe's finest young players.
Wenger's move for the Portuguese winger Ronaldo stalled because of United's links with Sporting Lisbon.
Wenger said: "He was here much earlier - he could tell you that if he wants.
"Manchester United had a partnership with Sporting Lisbon when United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz moved and that made it very difficult."
Wenger refused to elaborate any further when questioned about Ronaldo's time with Arsenal.
"I don't want to create any story that isn't needed," the Frenchman told BBC football correspondent Jonathan Legard.
Ronaldo has been in sensational form all season, scoring 29 goals as well as setting up countless others for the Premier League leaders.
Since joining Arsenal in 1996, Wenger has established a unparallelled reputation for identifying and buying Europe's finest young players.
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