Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that he decided against signing French midfielder Dimitri Payet last summer, before he eventually joined West Ham, as reported by Daily Express.
Being one of the standout performers for France at Euro 2016, Payet is the top scorer in the competition with 2 goals to his name.
After scoring the winner in France’s opening game against Romania, the 29-year old then scored his team’s 2nd of the night against Albania on Sunday.
Thus, at a time when the entire world is drooling over his abilities, Arsene Wenger has risked the wrath of the Arsenal faithful by claiming that he overlooked the chance to sign Payet from French club Marseille last summer.
“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.” said Wenger.
“I have been lucky enough in my club to always have very good players in his position and it was crowded!”
While the argument that Arsenal have a lot of players in Payet’s position carries merit, the fact that Payer would only have improved the Arsenal squad couldn’t be understated.
In his very first season at the English soil, he scored 9 and created another 12 for his teammates.
Meanwhile, if Payet continues to perform like the way he has been doing recently for France, it won’t be long before he gets linked with top sides from across Europe.
