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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that he thought his former club AS Monaco wouldn't sell Anthony Martial during the summer transfer window, as per the reports on ESPN. Wenger has been a long-term admirer of the new Manchester United forward and he has revealed that his doubts over Martial’s availability this summer was the reason why he did not pursue the young teenager.
When the 19-year-old made a deadline line move to Old Trafford for £36 million, it sent shockwaves all over Europe as it made him the most expensive teenager in history. Martial’s unproven quality had raised questions over his worth, but the young United man has been an instant hit since his arrival, having scored three goals in three appearances for the Red Devils.
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And it’s no secret that the former Monaco manager has been an admirer of Martial.
“I thought they would not sell him this year because they had sold so many other players,” Wenger said in the Daily Star. “They said they would not sell him and I thought they were not in any need to sell and would maintain their word.”
Arsenal tried signing Martial back in the summer of 2014: Wenger
Despite being in charge at Monaco from 1987 to 1994, Wenger’s connections with his former club did not help him land the young teenager at the Emirates.
“The amount of money was massive but Monaco could have sold him next season instead,” Wenger explained.
“I was surprised they sold him. Only an exceptional amount of money would do it."
According to Wenger, he had placed a bid for Martial back in the summer of 2014. “We always liked him, already when he was in Lyon,” Wenger said. “That was also a surprise, that Lyon sold him for €5 million.”
United almost came short on their bid for Martial: Monaco vice-president
Manchester United will be delighted with the fact that Martial has been promising so far despite the hefty price they had to pay to seal his signature on the deadline day. The club almost came up short on their bid for the ex-Monaco player and the Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev has said that there was another club that outbid United.
“I will not say how much, but the fixed price, without variables, it was even better. And also they offered us to have him for a further year in Monaco,” Vasilyev said.
“But the boy wanted to go to Manchester, it was his dream. And we let him go with the bonus of €30m. Had it not been for so much money, he'd have stayed.”
Arsenal are still in good position to win the league title: Wenger
Wenger also claimed that his team are very much in the title race despite being three points behind lead leaders United.
“If I tell you now that we are three points behind Man United, playing Man United at home and I don’t believe that we can win the Premier League, what do you tell me? You will slaughter me.”
He further added: “Look, we play in the Premier League on Sunday. We have just won 5-2 at Leicester, so I don’t see why we should be absolutely down. We are on the back of three or four good results in the Premier League.”
The Gunners are in full preparation for their match against United on Sunday at the Emirates and the players will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Olympiacos on Tuesday night.
