Premier League giants Arsenal and Everton both showed an interest in former Brazil international Vagner Love during his goalscoring heyday over in Russia with CSKA Moscow, speaking to FourFourTwo.
Those among you with long memories may recall a time in which Vagner Love appeared to live almost permanently in the gossip columns of the English press.
One of the most exciting young strikers in European football some 15 years or so ago, the then-Brazil star was the striking sensation at the heart of a CSKA Moscow side who beat Sporting Lisbon in the 2005 UEFA Cup final, scoring the decisive goal at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
“A year after winning the UEFA Cup, we played Arsenal and they sounded me out about a possible transfer,” Love recalls. “But there was no concrete offer.
“Portsmouth and Everton both made official bids, but the (CSKA) president was a tough negotiator and wouldn’t let me leave. The years went by and, ultimately, I didn’t get a chance to play in the Premier League.
“I’d have loved to because I’ve always watched it and can still remember Thierry Henry and Wayne Rooney starring for Arsenal and Manchester United.”
Arsenal and Everton wanted Vagner Love
Vagner Love never really lived up to those early expectations. He spent the next decade or so jumping from place to place on something of a personal world tour.
Love spent time in Brazil, China, France, Turkey and Kazakhstan, before joining Danish outfit Midtjylland on a free transfer a couple of months ago.
According to The Guardian, Everton made their move back in the summer of 2008. David Moyes’ Toffees were supposed to sign Love on an initial loan deal, complete with a £15 million purchase option.
The report added that Alan Smith and Stephane M’Bia were also ‘expected at Goodison Park’. In the end, none of the trio arrived.
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