One of the football greats Ronald De Boer recently shared a moment about his career. The Dutchman talked how he had chance to play for two of the greatest teams in England. De Boer has played for Ajax, Barcelona and Rangers in his career and has won trophies with all of them.
The former Dutch international won five Eredivisie titles with Ajax, one La Liga title with Barca and one scottish premier league title with Rangers. In addition, De Boer has won Champions League with Ajax and has also made 67 appearances for the Netherlands national team. Ronald played alongside his twin brother Frank at Ajax until and the duo once again reunited at Barcelona. However due to not being able to continue his great form, Ronald had to leave Barca after one year in which the Dutchman won La Liga title with the club.
De Boer then joined Scottish club Rangers and was at the club for the next four years. The former Ajax star was the top scorer of the season for Rangers with 20 goals when the won treble in 2003. In such a highly successful career, De Boer had two chances to play in the Premier League. However he was unable to feature for any of the two clubs interested.
Ronald De Boer was close to sign for Arsenal in 1998
While speaking to FourFourTwo, De Boer said that he was extremely close to sign for Arsenal. The former Dutch international stated that it was in the Arsene Wenger’s early days at North London. The deal was set to be completed after the end of 1998 World Cup.
De Boer said that he met with Arsene Wenger who called the meeting as the manager wanted to share the ideas with midfielder. Wenger and De Boer met at Okura hotel in Amsterdam. Wenger told the midfielder that he will be an important player for Arsenal. De Boer was happy to join Gunners and even thought that an opportunity like this may never come again.
“Everything would be finalised after the World Cup. I remember speaking to David Dein on the phone, discussing my salary and the duration of my contract. Everything was sorted; it was only down to Ajax and Arsenal to agree a transfer fee” – Ronald De Boer about his potential move to Arsenal in 1998.
However things didn’t go as the plans. Ronald and Frank (the twin brothers) played extremely well for Netherlands in the world cup. Ajax said that the duo can’t leave which led to twins feeling mislead. De Boer twins left Ajax in January 1999 and joined their former manager Louis Van Gaal at Barcelona. After a year and half at Barca, Ronald had an another opportunity to join Premier League.
Sir Alex Ferguson was interested in signing De Boer
De Boer was not able to carry on with his great form after his departure from Ajax. In the summer of 2000, De Boer had an opportunity to join Manchester United. However the midfielder opted against it and joined Dick Advocaat at Rangers.
De Boer said that he was in Barcelona kit room when he talked with Sir Alex Ferguson on the phone. Ferguson explained De Boer how he will use him in United’s midfield. At the same time, Dick Advocaat approached the former Dutch international. Ronald De Boer was confused on his next step and discussed the matter with Louis Van Gaal who had just became the coach of Netherlands national team in 2000.
Louis Van Gaal suggested De Boer to join Rangers as the scottish club will provide him the opportunity to play on regular basis. Van Gaal also added that playing regularly will be helpful for De Boer’s role in national team. De Boer also had a doubt about failing United’s medical due to his knee. The former Dutch international was not injured but he said his knee was not in a perfect condition. To conclude, De Boer said he valued Van Gaal’s opinion and would have joined United if the manger has said so.
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