‘Decided to stay’: Reported £25m Arsenal and Everton target explains why he didn’t leave

Follow us on Google Discover

The chance to play a key role in an ‘ambitious’ Sassuolo project convinced Jeremie Boga to stay in Serie A despite links with Everton, Crystal Palace and Arsenal, the winger told Telefoot, translated by Gonfialarente.

Considering that Filip Djuricic shared a dressing room with Sadio Mane at Southampton, his decision to label Boga the best dribbler he has ever come across in football was high praise indeed.

One year after his departure from Chelsea, the Ivory Coast international is already threatening to become the Blues’ latest blunder with the departures of Mo Salah, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku still rankling at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal could have left their London neighbours a little red-faced had they tied up a £25 million deal before deciding that another ex-Chelsea winger, Willian, was the one they wanted (FootMercato).

Boga was also on the radar of Everton as well as a Crystal Palace side who, at the time, were planning for life without Wilfred Zaha (Sky).

But his Sassuolo story still has a few chapters remaining.

“There was contact with Napoli, also with Rennes and some clubs in Germany,” the 23-year-old explains. “But, in the end, I decided to stay at Sassuolo.

“I spoke to the club, this is an ambitious project and I have decided to stay here for another year.”

With 15 goals and assists in Serie A, Boga was perhaps the most eye-catching performer in a free-flowing Sassuolo team who, apart from the exceptional Atalanta, are arguably the most exciting side in Italy right now.