Arsenal were interested in signing Dejan Kulusevski – but backed away from a potential move for the Tottenham Hotspur favourite in January.
That’s according to The Athletic, who claim that Arsenal’s recruitment department watched Kulusevski closely for two years.
Arsenal saw Kulusevski as a long-term target – yet the opportunity may have presented itself in January.
Juventus were clearly willing to let the Swede go but it was Tottenham who swooped in and got a deal done.
So just why did Arsenal dodge a deal for Kulusevski?
It’s claimed that Arsenal felt they didn’t need another left-footed winger. Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe are already at the club, so Kulusevski wasn’t a priority.
It’s now easy to say that Arsenal should have gone and signed Kulusevski.
The 21-year-old has been a sensation for rivals Tottenham, already racking up three goals and six assists in just 11 Premier League outings.
Kulusevski has brought guile and superb decision making to Tottenham’s attack, proving to be absolutely perfect alongside Son Heung-min and Harry Kane.
Maybe Arsenal could have done with that kind of player, but their logic for avoiding a deal does actually makes sense.
Where exactly would Kulusevski come into this Arsenal side? Saka isn’t dropping out of the Arsenal side any time soon and should be the player Arsenal build around.
Kulusevski could feasibly play as a number 10 too, but Arsenal have Martin Odegaard there. Even if you look to the left flank, Arsenal can deploy Gabriel Martinelli or Emile Smith Rowe.
Maybe if Pepe had moved on in January, Arsenal would have pushed to bring in Kulusevski but he wouldn’t have been given the starring role he has at Tottenham.
Watching Kulusevski shine with Tottenham may hurt a little, but signing him just wouldn’t have made sense for Arsenal.
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