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Arsene Wenger was desperate to sign Chelsea midfielder for Arsenal

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Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
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Arsene Wenger wanted to sign Billy Gilmour for Arsenal before the midfielder left Ibrox club Rangers for Chelsea, according to The Telegraph.

It has been reported that Wenger was desperate to bring Gilmour to Arsenal from Rangers before he eventually chose Chelsea.

The Frenchman, then the manager of Arsenal, personally made the pitch why the Scottish youngster should join the Gunners.

Rejecting Arsenal for Chelsea

Gilmour did find Arsenal very tempting and appealing.

However, Gilmour, now 20, choose to move to Chelsea after leaving Rangers in 2017.

Why?

Well, according to the report, it’s because of Chelsea’s academy and Frank Lampard’s presence in the room when Gilmour’s family came to visit.

Lampard is a Chelsea legend and one of the best midfielders of all time.

Billy Gilmour arsenal
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Bright Chelsea future

Gilmour has progressed well at Chelsea and is now on loan at Norwich City.

The 20-year-old has impressed during the handful of matches he has played for Chelsea.

One of them is Roy Keane.

The former Manchester United midfielder described the former Rangers prospect as “fantastic” on Sky Sports in March 2020.

Gilmour is only 20, and a loan spell at Norwich this season will help him in becoming a regular under Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea next campaign and beyond.