Samuel Etoo was on the cusp of joining Arsenal in 2000, with the striker pulling out of the transfer on the day the deal was due to be signed. Having struggled at Real Madrid as a youngster, the Cameroonian was looking for a move and regular football. The Gunners had expressed an interest and looked favourites to sign the striker. However, Mallorca stole a march on them as their then manager, Luis Aragones, persuaded Etoo to stay in Spain. Proving to be a snip at £4.4 million, Etoo went on to play for Barcelona and Inter Milan, winning the Champions League for both sides. He also won the African Player of the Year four times and joined Chelsea last season.
Simon is an NCTJ qualified sports journalist. He has conducted interviews with Tony Adams and Peter Shilton, while also having work published in The Daily Telegraph and The Sun. Follow him on Twitter via @sr_collings.
