This is a story that will make some throw their hands up in disappointment, whilst others will agree that Wenger made the right decision, but N’Golo Kante has supposedly revealed that he thought he would sign for Arsenal this summer, instead of Chelsea!
Kante, who was a star in Leicester’s 2015-16 Premier League campaign for the title, recently secured a move to Arsenal’s London rivals Chelsea. The move reportedly cost around £32 million and Kante has become Conte’s second summer signing.
However it could’ve been all so different for the French international, because according to the Metro, Kante thought he would be joining up with Arsene Wenger this summer, rather than Conte at Chelsea. Kante was reportedly told of Arsenal’s interest in him after it was revealed that the former Leciester man had a £20 million release clause in his contract. Now this figure was either untrue due to Chelsea’s £32 million bid, or that the clause expired on the 30th June. It’s likely to be the latter, but Kante was told about Arsenal’s interest prior to the Euro’s and expected a call from Wenger after the completion of the competition.
Arsenal instead of course went on to sign Granit Xhaka, leaving little room for Kante in the Arsenal side and thus opening the door for Chelsea to secure his signature. Kante proved to be a very effective player last season in what was his debut year in the Premier League, but will he be able to live up to his expensive price tag next season?
I think based on the fact that it was already decided that Xhaka would be joining Arsenal, spending another £30 million plus on another midfielder wouldn’t have been the best decision that Wenger could have made. Based on that, I think the fans cannot be too disappointed in Arsene Wenger’s lack of follow up on Kante, even if the player did fancy himself in Red and White.
By AH