Olivier Giroud has revealed that he tried to lure Moussa Sissoko to Arsenal before the Frenchman signed for arch-rivals, Tottenham.
Sissoko was a hot property in the transfer window because of his display in the EURO 2016. But despite heavy interest from various clubs in the summer, he only made a move on the deadline day to Tottenham.
Arsenal were not interested in signing him after they secured Granit Xhaka early in June. Arsene Wenger was said to be happy with his midfield options and didn’t want to spend anymore on the players that played in that position.
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Griroud though, wanted his countryman to join him at Emirates. Speaking to the media. the French striker said “I told him to give Arsenal the priority. It’s true it was special denouement. Until the end he didn’t know what he’ll do. It’s good for him. I think it was quite a long month for him so it’s good that something could have happened even in the very last moments. It’s great for him.”
The Arsenal striker spoke highly of his arch-rivals as well: “Tottenham is a great team in our league. Obviously we all wanted for him [Sissoko] after his good Euro and great performances, that he joins a Premier League club. In the Premier League Tottenham are an opponent for the trophy this year. I hope he will not be in good conditions against us.”
Sissoko has openly accepted that he is an Arsenal fan. Earlier this summer, Sissoko confirmed that he wanted to leave Newcastle United. “Everyone knows, I often said it when I was young, Arsenal is the club of my heart, because there were quite a few French players there like Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Sylvain Wiltord, Patrick Vieira who was my idol…”
Despite no interest from the Gunners, Moussa Sissoko confirmed his interest in joining Arsenal in the summer. "The beautiful Arsenal. We will see. I cannot tell you if I am going to go to Arsenal. For the moment, I am focused on the French national team and the Euros. I have advisors who manage all this and I hope everything will go well with minimal difficulty for me to find another club. I want to continue my career in England, at a club that plays in the Champions League because I think this best fits my style of play.”
