CSKA Moscow midfielder Aleksandr Golovin was the star player for Russia in the 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the 2018 World Cup opener.
The 22-year-old registered two assists and scored his nation’s last goal against Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. He has also impressed for his club during the 2017/18 season which saw him attract interest from top clubs across Europe.
Today’s edition of Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo claims Arsenal were the first club who “were seriously interested” in signing Golovin this summer.
The Gunners already had Russian forward Andrey Arshavin in the past and were looking to bring his compatriot to the Emirates.
Wenger stepped down as Arsenal manager at the end of last season and has been replaced by Unai Emery, the report doesn’t claim to know the Spaniard’s thoughts on the player.
Mundo Deportivo also mentions an agent of Georgian origin who works in Russian football offered Golovin to Barcelona.
These claims are backed up by comments from Russian agent Sandor Varga in November.
Quizzed on Barcelona interest, he said: “Why not? I see great potential in him. This summer, I watched Alexander a lot at the request of Arsène Wenger.
“Once such clubs follow the player, it means there’s something there. Their scouting services don’t just watch them for fun.”
On a potential move to Arsenal, Varga said: “It all depends on the manager. I have full faith in Wenger. If Sasha (Russian nickname for Alexander) gets to play under him, he’ll be very lucky.”
