Paris Saint-Germain ace has just rejected a late approach from Arsenal

Follow us on Google Discover

Arsenal wanted Leandro Paredes but the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has rejected a move to North London in favour of Juventus.

The Gunners managed to get most of their transfer business done early in the window, allowing Mikel Arteta to make a fast start this season.

Arsenal have won four from four in the Premier League and sit top of the table, so that early transfer business has certainly worked perfectly.

Yet with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny now injured – all whilst Ainsley Maitland-Niles is expected to leave – Arsenal may not need another holding midfielder.

Arsenal wanted Leandro Paredes

Some may expect Arsenal to go for Youri Tielemans after strong rumours all summer, but Edu has been looking elsewhere.

Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Arsenal have made contact to try and sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Leandro Paredes.

It’s stated that Arsenal made their move for Paredes after learning about those two injury blows in midfield.

However, Paredes has snubbed Arsenal because he wants to honour a commitment he made to join Juventus.

Juve have been desperately trying to finalise a deal for Paredes of late, but still haven’t been able to reach an agreement.

The deal is still thought to be close with Juventus likely to pay around €15million (£13million) plus €5million (£4.3million) in add-ons.

Paredes has seemingly had a personal agreement with Juventus for some time now and he doesn’t want to go back on that by joining Arsenal.

The Argentinian midfielder has experience in Italy having previously turned out for Empoli and Roma in Serie A.

A return to Italy seems appealing to Paredes, who is willing to pass up a chance to play in the Premier League in order to give full priority to Juve.

Now 28, the combative anchor man looks close to joining Juventus, leaving Arsenal to go back to the drawing board in their search of a new midfielder.

Arsenal would be wise to keep tabs on the situation though given that Juventus have been struggling to strike a deal, just in case there is a new chance to sign Paredes before Thursday’s deadline.