Calvin Bassey has suggested that he could have joined Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the summer of 2022, as quoted in De Volksrant.
Bassey was linked with a move to Arsenal last summer before he eventually joined Ajax from Rangers.
In October 2022, Own Goal Nigeria quoted an unnamed source from the agency representing Bassey saying that “Arsenal contacted” them, and that they “made it known to Rangers”.
Aston Villa and West Ham United also wanted to sign the youngster before he left Rangers for Ajax, according to the same source.
Ajax paid Rangers £19.6 million in transfer fees for Bassey (SkySports)
The 23-year-old, who can operate as a central defender or as a left-back, has now said that he had the chance to move to the Premier League last summer.
This suggests that indeed Arsenal tried to sign Bassey, and that the Nigeria international decided to snub the North London club.
Arsenal-linked Calvin Bassey on Premier League interest
Bassey said, as translated by Sport Witness: “When I received a lot of criticism, I tried to avoid it getting into my heart.
“Because then I would believe what they said. Instead I thought: I wouldn’t be with Ajax if I wasn’t a good player. Ajax wanted me. I am in development, just like the rest of our team.
“But I like the process of improving myself. That’s why I chose Ajax. I could go to the Premier League. That had been perfect for me. Raised in London, close to family, connoisseur of culture.
“But I wanted to do something unusual for me. The style of playing, the consistency, the technique. If you can play for Ajax, you can play anywhere in the world.”
No big miss for Arsenal
In our view, Calvin Bassey has not really been a big miss for Arsenal this season.
The Gunners have done well at the back and could win the Premier League title this season.
William Saliba and Gabriel are the two first-choice centre-backs at Arsenal now, while Oleksandr Zinchenko is the number one left-back.
Scotland international left-back Kieran Tierney is still a valuable member of the Arsenal team.
So, we do not think that Arsenal have missed out on much by not being able to sign Bassey from Rangers last summer.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
