None high profile player moves to Premier League from Europe, exceeds expectation, Arsene Wenger admits he could have signed said player before coming to England, and repeat. It must be really frustrating for Arsenal fans and the latest off the line is Dimitri Payet.
In fairness to Wenger sometimes the player moves away from the Premier League or doesn't actually come to the self-proclaimed 'best league in the world' for him to be someone the Arsenal manager 'nearly signed' but without doubt it's someone who plays well and would be perfect for the Gunners.
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Following on from infamous stories about Yaya Toure, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo to name just three, as well as recent rumours that he turned down moves for Premier League champions Riyad Mahrez and N'Golo Kante, Wenger has admitted that Euro 2016's top performer Dimitri Payet also escaped his grasps.
Talking to French website Konbini about the hero from France's two games and whether or not he could have signed him the former Monaco boss admitted that he watched the former Marseille man many times and also revealed why he never made a move for him:
"Yes. Often. Very often, i have to say that I asked myself that question during my career. And I also have to say that I decided against it because he was not consistent.
"I have never doubted that he had enough talent to play in my team. I have been lucky enough in my club to always have very good players in his position and it was crowded!"
Payet has taken the Euros by storm, just a couple of months after taking the Premier League by storm in his first season with West Ham, and has scored twice for France and set one up as they've won their first two matches.
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Still at least Wenger still has Joel Campbell...
(h/t Daily Star)
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Arsene Wenger, Dimitri Payet