Ex-Newcastle midfielder Cabaye: Arsenal made offer for me

Former Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye has admitted he was very close to signing for Arsenal.

The central midfielder was linked to the Gunners on the eve of the 2013/2014 Premier League season.

Then Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger even made a 10 million bid for the French playmaker.

"It was quite close," Cabaye told Four Four Two. "Arsenal put a bid on the table.

The deal [when I signed for Newcastle] was, 'OK, you come and we'll see how you adapt.

"The English market can be quick, and if there's something, we'll sit and have a chat'. So, OK, that's fine. It was the first time I was leaving a club, moving from Lille to Newcastle, so I didn't know about transfers.

"The fact is, the first season was really good and after that there was Euro 2012, of course, which went well for me. Then there was Arsenal's interest, and what I didn't understand was that the club closed the door on it they didn't want to have a discussion."