Arsenal have made a fair few transfer missteps in recent memory, but missing out on Christopher Nkunku feels like one of the biggest.
The huge fee for Nicolas Pepe hasn’t paid off, and missing out on Caglar Soyuncu feels like a big error.
Sead Kolasinac, Shkodran Mustafi, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Sokratis Papastathopoulos… Arsenal have wasted some money over the years.
Yet by signing Denis Suarez instead of Christopher Nkunku, Arsenal have ended up missing out on one of Europe’s top midfield talents.
Emery wanted Nkunku at Arsenal
Unai Emery oversaw Nkunku’s emergence at Paris Saint-Germain and wanted him at Arsenal.
Arsenal signed Denis Suarez on loan instead, with the Spaniard challenging Kim Kallstrom for one of the most forgettable Arsenal signings.
Nkunku was still available in the summer of 2019, but Arsenal didn’t pay the £17.2million PSG wanted.
Nkunku’s rise continues
French playmaker Nkunku joined RB Leipzig instead and has been on a path to stardom ever since.
The 23-year-old racked up 13 assists in his first season at Leipzig just as Arsenal attempted to seek life after Mesut Ozil.
Nkunku has averaged over two key passes per game throughout his time at Leipzig, and the goals are flowing this season.
Nkunku already has 10 goals in 16 outings this season, as well as two assists.
Working as an attacking midfielder, Nkunku just can’t stop scoring – and he was at it again on Wednesday as he headed in a fine goal against former club PSG.
With Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid now keen, Arsenal may have missed their chance at signing Nkunku.
Arsenal would no doubt love to go back in time and pay just over £17million for Nkunku, as he would now be worth three times that amount.
As it is, Arsenal have to sit and watch his rise to stardom in Germany and wonder what could have been.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
