Chelsea and Arsenal were both interested in signing Sergio Aguero before Barcelona snapped him up, according to the player's father.
The Argentine has penned a two-year deal with Barcelona as he prepares to end his glittering 10-year spell at Manchester City, ending speculation surrounding a move to another Premier League club.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had previously ruled his side out of the running to sign Aguero as a free agent, but the striker's father Leonel El Castillo has claimed that the Gunners were indeed interested alongside Chelsea.
Speaking to Radio La Red, El Castillo said: "My son was waiting right up to the last moment to renew with City but it didn't happen.
"He didn't know what was going to happen with his future. There were several clubs interested in signing him. Arsenal were interested in him and Chelsea to the last minute. If he didn't stay in England, it was going to be Italy or Spain.
"He is happy right now after signing for Barcelona. I see him happy. He's been friends with Lionel Messi since they were 15 and they've always talked. It looks like Messi is going to stay at Barcelona so they're going to play together."
Juventus were also rumoured to be in the race for Aguero's signature, but the South American reportedly turned down a more lucrative offer from the Serie A giants in order to complete a move to Barcelona.
Ben Knapton
