Had it not been for Arsenal's impatience, then the most successful Premier League manager of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson, could have been showing off unprecedented trophy hauls at Ashburton Grove as opposed to Manchester United's Old Trafford ground.

Former Scotland international Jim Leighton has revealed that Ferguson received a concrete job offer from the Gunners in 1986. At that time, the iron-willed boss was looking after the affairs of the Scottish national team as well as being co-manager of Aberdeen.

Ferguson had built up a sturdy reputation by enjoying domestic and continental success with the Dons and wanted to wait until the conclusion of the World Cup before making a decision. However, this request was not granted by the Arsenal hierarchy. George Graham, who was to be Ferguson’s assistant, was unveiled as full-time manager and Ferguson would eventually end up at United.

Leighton explained to The Telegraph, "Ferguson was offered the Arsenal job. George Graham would have been his assistant, but he [Ferguson] wanted to wait until the World Cup was finished before it was getting announced.

"Arsenal said they wanted [a decision] straight away and so he refused it and George Graham got the job.

"He wanted to announce it when he got back to Aberdeen, to do it the right way."

Ferguson has won 11 Premier League crowns, two Champions League trophies, five FA Cups, three League Cups, one UEFA Cup, as well as a FIFA World Club Championship.

Goran Pandev's revelations to Sky Italia, that his "cycle with Lazio is over," have sparked a flurry of press reports linking the Macedonian international with clubs from Italy, Germany, and England.

Those heading the list from the Premier League, though, consist of London rivals Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and even Arsenal, according to fourfourtwo.com

Pandev struck 15 goals in 37 games in a defence-heavy league last season, and carries a £17 million price-tag.

Arsenal recently splashed the cash on winter window recruit Andrey Arshavin, who cost the club a similar figure to the one commanded by Lazio and Pandev.

Arsene Wenger's transfer kitty is expected to be not as rich as recent times, and considering the club are allegedly edging closer to sealing the £11 million capture of Ajax stopper Thomas Vermaelen, then the link between Pandev and Arsenal appears to be unsubstantiated.

Tottenham Hotspur, meanwhile, are still in the market for a proven goal-scorer while Chelsea are chasing more high-profile targets, with Sergio Aguero reportedly on the verge of a lucrative transfer to west London.