There are plenty of players over the years that slip through the net for clubs. And while Arsenal may not feel like they missed out when it came to Ryan Babel, the player himself certainly feels that way.
Babel was a big-money signing for Liverpool in 2007, joining from Ajax, but never really hit the heights he would have hoped or expected.
The forward had 40 goal involvements in 146 matches for the Reds - 22 goals and 18 assists - but was never what you would call first-choice under Rafael Benitez. When Roy Hodgson came to the club, his time was up, with the former England manager selling him in the January transfer window to Hoffenheim.
He would later return to the Premier League with Fulham, but that move was short-lived too, lasting just half a season.
Prior to his move to Liverpool, Babel, who had scored eight goals and laid on eight assists in the previous season for Ajax, was linked with Arsenal. And the Dutchman has revealed it would have been his dream to play for the Gunners... if they had wanted him.
Speaking to Instant Casino, Babel said: "The rumours were there, the news articles were there, but Arsenal never officially reached out. There were a few teams that reached out, like Juventus, like Inter, and Liverpool.
"To join Arsenal, there were already a few Dutch players playing there, but the interest was not that real. It just stayed as a lot of rumours and articles. I grew up as an Arsenal fan, so it would have been a dream to play for Arsenal, but it didn't happen.
"Eventually with Liverpool I had the best feeling. They were very consistent. They gave me the energy that they really wanted me. I'm a sensitive person when it comes to feeling that I'm really wanted, and Liverpool made me feel wanted."
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Premier League