Arsene Wenger has denied the fact that Joey Barton was very close to joining Arsenal. The midfielder had earlier claimed that he was very close to join the Gunners on a free transfer in 2011.
Barton went on to sign for QPR instead of Arsenal at the time. The talented midfielder had issues with his behaviour and temperament.
He was banned two times by his former club Rangers and the Scottish Club ultimately decided to terminate his contract. After a promising start, his spell at the Ibrox ended in acrimonious circumstances following his fallout with Andy Halliday.
He was re-signed by Burnley and made a goalscoring return to the Premier League in the last match against Southampton.
Wenger said, “I’ve been contacted many times to take Joey Barton. But he was never close to signing.
“We had some fights with him, that’s true. There was never any need (to take him) in midfield.”
