Arsenal wanted Ajax Amsterdam defender Calvin Bassey and an agent has now claimed that the Gunners did make contact over a potential deal this past summer.
The Gunners enjoyed another strong window under Edu.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus arrived from Manchester City and have already made a huge impact.
Fabio Vieira look to have huge quality and Marquinhos could be one for the future, with Edu’s recruitment continuing to take Arsenal forward.
One position Arsenal didn’t strengthen is centre back despite seemingly wanting to sign a left-footed option there over the summer.
ARSENAL WANTED CALVIN BASSEY
Gabriel Magalhaes serves as Arsenal’s natural left-sided centre back but Arteta and Edu seemingly wanted another option.
Lisandro Martinez was a key target before he decided to follow former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag to Manchester United.
The London Evening Standard noted just a couple of days ago that Arteta still wants a left-sided centre back and had wanted Calvin Bassey over the summer as well as Martinez.
Their transfers ended up being linked.
Martinez headed to United, meaning Ajax needed a new left-sided centre back – and they went to sign Bassey from Rangers in a deal worth around £23million.
The former Leicester City talent had impressed for Rangers, especially in their run to the Europa League final last season.
Bassey had even been branded ‘the next Van Dijk’ by former Scotland international Christophe Berra.
Bassey secured his big move but his performances have been a little up and down so far.
Arsenal may still keep tabs on Bassey with an agent now claiming their summer interest.
Bassey is represented by Unique Sports Group agency and Own Goal Nigeria carry quotes from one of their unnamed agents.
The agent claims that Arsenal made contact over a deal to Bassey, but didn’t follow it up after Rangers were informed.
It was added that Aston Villa and West Ham United both wanted Bassey too but Ajax promised more game time than all of them, so the defender headed to the Netherlands.
Left-footed centre backs are a hot commodity in this day and age, and with Arsenal and Edu still hunting for another one, Bassey could still be on the Arsenal radar.