Arsene Wenger Reveals How Close We Were To Signing Ligue 1 Duo

By The Editor
on 8th September 2017

Arsene Wenger on failed Lemar and Mbappé deals…

Wenger clearing up Mbappe and Lemar sagas.

Says club were closer to getting Mbappe last summer.

Denies Lemar ever snubbed them. pic.twitter.com/aEWwtXCg8Q

— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) September 7, 2017

Arsene Wenger revealed that we were close to signing Ligue 1 duo Kylian Mbappé and Thomas Lemar in recent summer transfer windows.

Wenger admitted that Mbappé was closer to a move last summer when the boss met the teenage superstar at his home with his parents in very different circumstances.

The Monaco prodigy was out of contract and Wenger was attempting to convince him of a move to Arsenal where we would’ve been compelled to pay a meagre compensation fee.

Mbappé this week confirmed that he met with Wenger and that Arsenal was a real option, especially after the boss indicated that he’d be prepared to pay €100m.

However, when clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City came into the equation, a move was out of the question.

“Well, I believe that we were on the case last year,” Wenger admitted.

“He was close to joining us, maybe closer last year than this year because the competition was a bit smaller than it is today.”

On why the Lemar deal didn’t happen, Wenger offered very little information: “He decided to stay in Monaco and you have to respect that.

“The player has a three-year contract to go – so overall you have to respect that.”