Arsenal Had Deal In Place To Sign £28m Liverpool Target

The summer transfer window is now open for business and it’s expected to be a busy few weeks as managers strengthen their squads ahead of next season, so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Arsenal were close to landing Liverpool target Marco Reus.

Arsenal were set to sign seal a £28m deal for Liverpool target Marco Reus before he picked up an ankle injury back in June, according to reports today.

Reus has become one of the most wanted attackers in Europe after two sensational seasons at Borussia Dortmund, with the winger chipping in with 42 goals in 90 appearances following his move from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2012.

The 25-year-old’s future has been cast in doubt in recent days following reports that he’s turned down a contract extension offer, with the player supposedly reluctant to remove his £28m buy-out clause.

This has led to interest from the likes of Liverpool with speculation suggesting Brendan Rodgers had identified the German international as a potential new recruit as the Northern Irishman looks to bring in a marquee signing following the exit of Luis Suarez.

However, it appears Reus could have been an Arsenal player already this summer had things turned out differently, with the Metro one of several media outlets reporting that the Gunners had a deal in place to sign the exciting attacker this summer before the move collapsed when he picked up a serious ankle injury in June.

Reus was all-set to become a star at this summers World Cup before being ruled out after suffering ankle ligament damage during a warm-up game, but according to the Metro, the injury also cost him a move to the Emirates.

It’s difficult to know how much truth there is in these reports and it would be interesting to see what would have happened if Reus didn’t pick up an injury last month.

Obviously Arsenal fans will be devastated if they came so close to signing one of the best attackers on the planet, but Arsene Wenger did end up signing Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona instead, so it’s not all bad for the Gooners.

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However, if the news that Reus has turned down a contract extension is accurate, it opens the door for Arsenal to renew their interest once the German international is fit, but I’d expect the North Londoners will face some stiff competition for his signature with Liverpool among those understood to be keen.