Manager wanted club to sign Arsenal player in January – Transfer failure caused ‘controversy behind the scenes’

Jürgen Klinsmann managed Hertha Berlin for less than 80 days before stepping down from as their coach on February 11th.

The Bundesliga side made four new additions to their squad in the winter market and the former Germany coach publicly praised Hertha general manager Michael Preetz for his efforts in bringing new faces to the club.

Kicker now claims Klinsmann suggested Hertha to sign Arsenal’s Mesut Özil and Lukas Podolski.

Podolski was available on a free transfer and he ended up joining Turkish side Antalyaspor in January.

Out of the four signings Hertha made last month, only Santiago Ascacibar was approved by Klinsmann. He was disappointed his former employer failed to sign the players he wanted, which included the Gunners playmaker.

Kicker explain Klinsmann’s wishes caused ‘controversy behind the scenes’ due to their ‘sense and affordability’ and Sport1, who name the German magazine as the source of their story, add the Bundesliga club would not have met the Arsenal player’s salary demands.

It’s to be noted Kicker don’t specify if Arsenal or Özil were ready for the transfer in the winter market, as the player has found himself playing regularly under Mikel Arteta since the Spaniard took over from Unai Emery.