One of Arsene Wenger’s ‘best signings’ interested in Arsenal return

One of Arsene Wenger’s ‘best Arsenal signings’, Premier League icon Dennis Bergkamp, has said he would be ‘interested’ in returning to the club.

Bergkamp is considered one of Arsenal’s greatest-ever players, having won three Premier League titles during his 11-year spell in north London.

Signed for £7.5m in 1995, the former Ajax and Inter Milan forward established himself as one of the best players of his generation and one of the best foreign players to play in the Premier League.

As well as being an integral member of Arsenal’s ‘Invicibles’ team, Bergkamp lifted three FA Cups under Wenger and helped the Gunners reach the Champions League final in 2006.

Since hanging up his boots in 2011, Bergkamp has worked as an assistant manager at Ajax and expressed interest in buying an English football club, even being linked with an Arsenal takeover.

Bergkamp reportedly turned down the chance to be a scout for Arsenal shortly after his retirement but, almost 20 years later, is ‘interested’ in returning to the club in a coaching capacity.

Asked if a return to Arsenal would interest him, Bergkamp told William Hill at the FWA’s Tribute Night in London: ‘I’m at the stage of my life now where I’ve got a bit more freedom with my time – the kids are all grown up now! 

‘If something interesting to me were to come along, then I’m sure I’d like to do something like that.’

Bergkamp’s former club Arsenal have repeatedly challenged for the Premier League title in recent years but are still searching for their first title since 2004.

Having been pipped by Manchester City for the past two seasons, Arsenal now look set to finish behind Liverpool, who have opened up a six-point gap at the top of the table.

‘I really hope Arsenal can win a trophy this season,’ Netherlands hero Bergkamp added.

‘They’ve been so close for the past few years now, so hopefully the team can find something extra in the next few months to get them over the line. 

‘It feels like they’re in a stable position at the moment and hopefully the players can make something out of it. 

‘If Mikel Arteta can get a bit more quality and belief from the squad, then who knows what might happen!’

Bergamp’s son, Mitchel, was released by newly-promoted League Two side Bromley last summer. His daughter Yasmin, 23, was seen supporting Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season.

Speaking earlier this month, legendary Arsenal manager Wenger described Bergkamp as one of the ‘best signings’ he made while in charge of the club.

‘It depends,’ he said. ‘If you look at it financially you could say many, many, many.

‘Maybe the credibility I got first was for the first player I brought in which was Patrick Vieira.

‘People questioned “why do they employ Wenger?” and after of course we have the following with Petit, Henry, Overmars. Bergkamp was already there.

‘You have so many players, you have Kolo Toure and Lauren. But I think just the first players you bring in you are always judged on.

‘After we have so many players. People never speak about Van Persie or Fabregas who were exceptional players. Van Persie scored 96 goals for Arsenal which is not far from Ian Wright.’

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