Arsenal were one of six clubs to make a move for Sevilla striker Youssef En Nesyri this summer, only for him to turn down the move.
That’s according to ABC Sevilla, who cover how the Gunners were very keen to bring the Moroccan to the Emirates in the summer window.
They explain that En Nesyri is currently in the form of his life, finding the goal with ‘greater ease’ and establishing himself as a star under Julen Lopetegui.
His form hasn’t gone unnoticed, and he has a host of clubs interested in his signature, chief among them Arsenal.
Their interest came directly from coach Mikel Arteta, who indicated to club chief Vinai Venkatesham that En Nesyri was the ideal player to be the ‘focal point’ of his attack.
Venkatesham ‘gave the go ahead’ for the move to happen, and Arsenal approached Sevilla to try and make it go ahead.
They were met with swift rejection, though, as the player ‘reiterated’ that leaving was not on his mind at that moment in time.
That put an end to the potential deal for the time being, although we now know that reports claiming Arsenal may move in January aren’t based on nothing.
Instead, it seems there is a genuine interest in En Nesyri, and with Alexandre Lacazette’s contract expiring, we expect to hear more about potential swap deals the closer we get to January.
