Arsenal fans endured a dramatic end to the transfer window but it ended up all being about rumours, rather than actual signings coming through the door to join fellow new recruits Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette.
The Gunners were poised to approve a sale of Alexis Sanchez to Manchester City but the deal fell through due to Arsenal’s inability to land a replacement, as Monaco’s Thomas Lemar turned down a late move in order to stay with the Ligue 1 champions.
Arsenal’s reported bid was said to be in the €100m mark, which would have seen the Gunners set a new club-record transfer for the second-time this summer, but the collapse of the deal left many frustrated- and some even questioned whether the bid was genuine.
Arsene Wenger has confirmed the bid is real though when speaking to TeleFoot on Sunday morning, where he revealed Arsenal will return for the 21-year-old French international’s signature in the future.
“€100m for Lemar? Yes all true, I wanted him. He decided to stay at Monaco. We will come back for him.”
Wenger’s comments suggest Arsenal will reignite their interest in the young asset in the January transfer window or next summer, with the expectation that Chilean superstar Alexis Sanchez will leave upon the expiration of his contract.
Arsenal were criticised for their failure to seal a departure for Alexis, which would have given them a huge financial boost, but Wenger previously stated his belief that the two-time Copa America winner would be 100% committed to the Gunners this season.
Wenger also answered questions on other aspects of Arsenal’s transfer ambitions and current form, where he spoke about his interest in Kylian Mbappe before being priced out of a move and stated he believes his side have the potential to win the Premier League.
Arsenal host Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium after the international break and will look to return to winning ways, having lost their last two matches in the Premier League to Stoke City and Liverpool- the latter of which was a heavy 4-0 drubbing.