Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur turned down the chance to sign Burnley forward Wout Weghorst before he joined Manchester United on loan, according to the Dutchman.
The striker has failed to make his mark in English football since arriving at Turf Moor from Wolfsburg in January, providing just two goals and three assists in 20 games for the Clarets.
Weghorst rediscovered his goalscoring touch during the first half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Besiktas, scoring nine goals and setting up four more in 18 games before Man United came calling.
The 30-year-old made an emotional farewell to Besiktas ahead of his temporary move to Old Trafford, and he made his debut in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, playing 69 minutes of the Selhurst Park encounter.
With Anthony Martial injured, Weghorst is expected to keep his place in the first XI for Sunday's trip to Arsenal, who were supposedly one of two other 'Big Six' sides in the picture for the striker's services.
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According to Weghorst himself, both Arsenal and Tottenham were considering a swoop a couple of years ago, but neither North London giant firmed up their interest with an official bid.
"Two seasons ago there was serious interest in me from Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. It was concrete - but in the end, they didn't follow through," football.london quotes Weghorst as saying.
"When it fell through, I set myself new goals. I took a good look at myself and which areas I needed to improve, physically and mentally. I drew up a plan for that with my specialist team. I realised I didn't score enough with my head and so I started working on my technique with a volleyball coach three times a week.
"People will think to themselves: 'What on earth is this guy doing?' But it's clearly had an effect. I now have real confidence. If a good ball comes over, I nod it in. I'm proud of that because it's the result of focus and hard work."
Arsenal have prioritised the signing of a new attacker this month after losing Gabriel Jesus to a serious knee injury, which could keep him out until March following surgery.
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After losing out to Chelsea in the race for Mykhaylo Mudryk, the Gunners secured the signature of the versatile Leandro Trossard in a £26m deal from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are facing continued uncertainty over the future of talisman Harry Kane, whose existing contract now only has 18 months left to run.
The England captain pushed for a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2021, which did not bear fruit, and Spurs have been attempting to tie him down to a new contract since.
However, with Antonio Conte's side struggling for form since the turn of the year - losing three of their last four Premier League games and falling six points behind the Champions League spots - Kane is once again being tipped to leave.
With Man United expected to spend big on a new striker in the summer, the Red Devils are supposedly keeping a close eye on Kane's situation, and the 29-year-old would be open to a switch to Old Trafford.
Ben Knapton
