Arsenal made an attempt in signing Noa Lang towards the end of the January window, the Club Brugge star has revealed.
Mikel Arteta left Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of his plans and therefore, the Gunners decided to release him in January. He ended up joining Barcelona on a free transfer.
Prior to that, Arsenal were chasing Dušan Vlahović. However, the Serbian snubbed the north London club in favour of Juventus.
Having decided to let Aubameyang leave, the Premier League side were in need of a new attacker for the second half of the season. This saw them make a late approach for the Netherlands international.
“Because one of them only really left at the last minute [Aubameyang], they wanted to hire someone quickly. But that was no longer possible,” Lang told Het Laatste Nieuws.
The 22-year-old finished the campaign with the Jupiler Pro League winners, managing nine goals and 15 assists in all competitions.
Arsenal can make another attempt to sign him as the Dutchman has now set his sights on leaving Club Brugge this summer.
When HLN asked whether he is ‘definitely leaving this summer’, the player explained: “In my head, yes. You never know what will happen, of course, but it’s really not planned to stay at Club for another year. I could have left last year, but I’m grateful that I stayed one more season. I really learned a lot this year, and now I’m more ready for the next step.”
The newspaper further quizzed the attacker as to where he wants to move next in the summer window.
“To a very nice, big club. One that prefers to play in the Champions League. A club that hits the top. Look, I’m 22. Have all the time. I don’t have to go from Club to Real Madrid – that step is an incredible step. Moreover, you get there as a boy from Club,” Lang said.
“I first want to perform well elsewhere, and then sign like a big boy at the absolute world top. I’m sure I’ll get there anyway. I’m on schedule.”
