Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala has revealed that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger once said he admired him and that Paris Saint-Germain were interested in signing the winger.

Tshabalala was one of the standout performers for Bafana Bafana at the 2010 Fifa World Cup, where he made history with the tournament’s opening goal.

The winger had attracted interest from all over Europe, but both Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest could not agree with Kaizer Chiefs on his transfer fee.

Tshabalala eventually moved to Europe as a 33-year-old in 20118 after spending 11 seasons at Chiefs. Following Erzurumspor’s relegation from the Turkish Super Lig at the end of the 2018-19 season, though, Tshabalala left the team and has been clubless since then.

The former Chiefs man now says it was Wenger who had informed him about PSG’s interest just after the World Cup.

‘We were having a [photo] shoot in Sandton where we bumped into Arsene Wenger,’ said Tshabalala as per SunSport.

‘Obviously you become star-struck when a person of Wenger’s stature recognises you.

‘We had a chat about the World Cup and he said that I am a good player, I played well. He also recognised Itu [Khune] and acknowledged him as well.

‘But I remember he even said to me, “I know that PSG wants you” and he wished me well. His agent took my number and said he will be in contact.’

The said Paris Saint-Germain interest never developed nor was a move to England finalised, but the player never showed frustration with his situation while at Chiefs.

Shabba has been without a club for 12 months now but remains keen to find a new home – saying he had received offers from China, Italy and Turkey before the national lockdown.