Arsene Wenger has admitted that he looked at in-form West Ham star Dimitri Payet in the past.
Payet has been in sensational form this season, and has arguably one of the signings of the season, alongside Leicester City duo – Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante.
Payet has graced the Premier League and Upton Park with flair and panache – and has a tidy knack of scoring some fabulous freekicks.
Dimitri Payet came on for France in the 62nd minute. One minute later he did this…https://t.co/LdVgJ5QpJ4
— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) March 29, 2016
The Arsenal manager famously built his title winning teams with a core of French players. When asked whether he had the chance to sign Payet, Wenger said that he regularly watched him during his earlier time in France.
“I looked at Payet many times. I’ve known him for a long, long time,” said Wenger.
“He played a few years in St Etienne. He has all the attributes to be a top, top player. In fact he already is.
“He is 29 and this year he has matured.
“He has come back into national team when he looked to be out so that shows he has been more consistent,” continued Wenger.
Arsene Wenger on why he did not buy Dimitri Payet: "We speak about Wilshere, we have creative players. We had no need." #Arsenal #WHUFC
— Kevin Palmer (@RealKevinPalmer) April 7, 2016
Wenger gave an update on the contract of Alex Iwobi. Iwobi is expected to pen a new deal after catching the eye in recent weeks.
Wenger said: “We are discussing, yes to extend him. He is a real Arsenal person because he has been here since eight-years-old.
“We want to keep him here for longer. Overall that is the positive, in the last two months how well and how quickly he has emerged as a player who can have a good impact.”
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