Arsene Wenger admits he tried to sign Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that he was interested in signing Robert Lewandoski from Borussia Dortmund, before it was announced on Saturday that he is headed to the Allianz Arena on a free at the end of the season.

Arsenal are looking for a striker, as they currently don’t have any fit first team striker, with Olivier Giroud, Niklas Bendtner, Yaya Sanogo and now Theo Walcott all injured.

“Yes we looked into Lewandowski but honestly he signed for Bayern one and a half years ago, everyone knows that,” Wenger said. “They can only make it official now because he is in the last six months of his contract.”

“We are like everyone, we look out there and see what is happening. If an opportunity turns up, you know as well that all the big players are at big clubs at the moment and they go for important targets. Unless you have a club in a desperate financial situation it will be difficult.

“If we find someone like [Serge] Gnabry at that age when no-one knows them, then maybe. But I just said many times we don’t rule anything out.”

However, the transfer of Lewandowski does leave Bayern striker Mario Manndzukic’s future in the doubt, with rumours suggesting Arsenal are on the look out for him.

“Lewandowski is at Dortmund until the end of the season and they will not sell Mandzukic now – maybe at the end of the season,” Wenger said.

On Sunday, though, Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insisted Mandzukic is not for sale, while his agent has also stressed he is not looking to leave the club, but with Lewa’s imminent arrival things are bound to change.