Arsenal could reportedly sign a player Wenger wanted for £9m in 2015

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The Emirates was a very different place when Arsenal were first linked with Jordan Amavi.

In summer 2015, Arsene Wenger was looking to build on a third-place finish in the Premier League. With a squad chock full of top-class talent including Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud, Santi Cazorla and a young Mesut Ozil, Arsenal looked genuine title contenders.

It’s fair to say quite a bit has changed in the past six years.

Only three of the players from that 2015/16 season – Mo Elneny, Hector Bellerin and Calum Chambers – are still plying their trade in north London, while Mikel Arteta has gone from captain to coach.

But if there’s one thing that has stayed the same, it’s Arsenal’s admiration of a talented left-back who suddenly finds himself back on the radar of a Premier League giant.

In July 2015 the Daily Mail reported Arsene Wenger’s side was eyeing a deal for then-France U21 international Jordan Amavi.

The speedy Nice youngster would join Aston Villa in a £9 million deal instead but, like Jordan Veretout and Idrissa Gana Gueye, Amavi has gone from strength to strength since finishing bottom of the table during in a miserable debut season in English football.

Now aged 26, Amavi has become one of the most influential attacking full-backs in Ligue 1. He played a major role as Marseille finished second behind Paris Saint-Germain last term, qualifying for the Champions League after an absence of almost a decade.

And, after rejecting the chance to extend a contract that expires in the summer, Arsenal could be about to swoop in and land a long-term transfer target without spending a penny (L’Equipe).