Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Francis Cagigao says he tried to sign Bayern Munich star while at Arsenal
that he tried to bring Alphonso Davies to Arsenal before the Canadian flyer joined Bayern Munich in the summer of 2018 – during his spell in the scouting department with the north London club.
Davies, 19, threw his name onto the shortlists of many European sides after breaking into MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps’ first team and becoming a regular at the age of 17. He played 81 times at senior level for Canadian side, having a hand in 26 goals.
He joined Bayern Munich for £16million () more than two years ago, finishing the 2018 MLS season and linking up with Bayern in January 2019. Davies has since made the left-back slot his own under Hansi Flick.
He has played 57 times in all competitions – having a hand in 14 goals from the left side of the defence. Cagigao worked as a scout at Arsenal throughout Arsene Wenger’s reign, before being made head scout under Unai Emery.
The former Arsenal youth player left the Gunners somewhat suddenly earlier this season, and has since gained plaudits for the additions of Gabriel Martinelli and more. He told CBS that he tried to bring Davies to Arsenal, until Bayern landed the flyer.
Though he does not comment on trying to sign him, “He [Cagigao] reveals Arsenal had been weighing up a move for Alphonso Davies before Bayern Munich beat them to the signature of the Canadian 19-year-old.”
TBR’s view – Would Davies have become as good at Arsenal?
Davies is clearly one of the best left-sided defenders in European football at the moment, at the age of 19. He has more potential than most in Europe, and looks more than likely to go on and become one of the best players in world football.
At Bayern, he has had the perfect platform. Plenty of game time, David Alaba moving to centre-back and Bayern dominating matches has allowed him to shine. At Arsenal, would he have had that freedom? Probably not.
There is no doubt that he would have starred at Arsenal and continued to further his development – but his rise has been largely down to joining a club like Bayern.
