Leeds United wanted Serge Gnabry when he was a youngster, Brian McDermott once admitted.
Serge Gnabry has been the talk of Europe this week, after his four-goal haul for Bayern Munich against Tottenham Hotspur, but his career could have taken a very different path if he had joined Leeds United in 2013.
Leeds, who were then managed by Brian McDermott, had wanted to sign Gnabry after they identified his talents while he was playing in Arsenal’s youth team.
Leeds spotted that Gnabry had plenty of ability when he was a teenager, but Arsenal swatted away their attempts to sign the forward on loan.
“I made an enquiry for a couple of young players at Arsenal as well – Gnabry who scored their first goal on Saturday was one of them. I wouldn’t think they will let him out now,” McDermott said to the Daily Express.
Arsenal did end up keeping hold of Gnabry that season, but he never managed to fulfil his potential at the Emirates Stadium.
Gnabry ended up spending time out on loan at West Bromwich Albion, where he flopped, before going on to join Werder Bremen.
Gnabry’s form in the Bundesliga saw Bayern sit up and take notice, and the 24-year-old has now firmly broken through into Niko Kovac’s side’s starting line-up.
His four goal haul against Spurs has thrust Gnabry’s talents into sharp focus, with his reputation growing exponentially.
And Leeds may be looking back at what might have been if they had been able to bring Gnabry to Elland Road now, given his obvious talents.
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