Miralem Pjanic: 'I nearly joined Arsenal'

Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic has revealed that he nearly joined Arsenal before signing for the Italian club.

The Gunners were understood to have agreed a £9.5m fee for the Bosnian international in 2011 before he ended up at the Stadio Olimpico.

"I had a number of offers at the time and I was set to join Arsenal," the 23-year-old told Avaz Sport. "I had agreed all of the conditions that had been put into place.

"However, my father had given his word to Roma and therefore I opted to sign for the Giallorossi instead."

Pjanic joined Roma following a three-year spell with Lyon.