Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has revealed that he tried to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain before the teenager joined Arsenal in August.
However, Pulis has confessed that with some of the country's top clubs jostling for his signature, it was always unlikely that the 18-year-old would be heading to the Britannia Stadium.
"We were well aware of the situation, but when you've got Manchester United, Arsenal and the like chasing him, you understand where you are," Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke.
"The kid is a future England star and I think he could even go to Euro 2012 if he plays enough games, he's that good."
The winger reportedly cost the Gunners £12m when he moved from Southampton.
