SAINT-Etienne defender Loic Perrin has discussed his failed move to Arsenal, insisting that Arsene Wenger’s side held talks with his agent.
Wenger publicly denied that he was tracking the 29-year-old French centre-back during the January transfer window, with the Gunners eventually agreeing a deal to sign Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista.
Perrin, though, maintains that he was part of the Gunners boss’ shortlist of potential recruits and that he would have jumped at the chance to move to the Premier League.
He told But! Football Club: “There have been serious contacts through my agent. I think I was on a shortlist but not at the top, apparently!
“A move in the [January] transfer window? It’s always complicated but it’s hard to deny Arsenal.
“I have always said that, if I had to leave ASSE one day, it would be for a bigger club to play in the Champions League. I do not think many players in Ligue 1 would refuse a club like Arsenal.”