Harry Maguire and Thomas Partey were Arsenal targets in the summer (Image: GETTY)
Arsenal’s defeat to Chelsea in the Europa League final had a significant impact on their summer transfer business. The Gunners were considered to have had a good window with David Luiz, Kieran Tierney, Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe all joining on permanent deals. Dani Ceballos signed from Real Madrid on loan while William Saliba was bought from Saint Etienne but allowed to remain at the French side for another season of development.
But losing 4-1 to Chelsea in Baku meant Arsenal didn’t qualify for the Champions League and reduced their transfer kitty.
And, according to The Athletic, Unai Emery was foiled having wanted to sign Harry Maguire, Wilfried Zaha and Thomas Partey.
Maguire would ultimately join Manchester United to become the world’s most expensive defender and the report says Arsenal had ‘no chance’ in a straight fight with the Red Devils and Manchester City.
It is claimed Atletico Madrid’s Partey was ‘desperate’ to sign for Arsenal but the €50million (£42m) release clause meant that deal was too much.
Unai Emery was sacked by Arsenal (Image: GETTY)
And Zaha was Emery’s first choice as a wide player due to being Premier League ready but his preference was overruled in favour of signing the younger Pepe - who Arsenal agreed a structured deal with Lille for.
After the transfer window had shut, Emery expressed his delight at Arsenal’s business.
"We are very happy and we are delighted with what the club did," he told reporters.
"Also Raul Sanllehi and Edu were working together to find the best solutions, being competitive in the moment we can sign another player and also using the club to support us economically to do that.
Nicolas Pepe has struggled at Arsenal this season (Image: GETTY)
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