Clinton N’Jie has revealed Arsenal were interested in signing him before he joined Tottenham Hotspur.
The 22-year-old made a switch to White Hart Lane from Olympique Lyonnais on Saturday. Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas revealed an English club made an offer, which made the striker’s move to Tottenham complicated.
“Clinton Njie’s departure is not complete. We have received an offer from another big English club which is complicating things,” Lyon president said.
N’Jie has now come out and confirmed the English club was Arsenal as they made contact with his representative when he was with the Ligue 1 side. However, the African player was not keen on joining the Gunners in the summer transfer window.
The former Lyon star revealed he had his heart set on joining Tottenham, which forced him to snub Arsenal. N’Jie also said Mauricio Pochettino’s reputation of giving chance to youngsters convinced him to reject the Gunners’ approach.
“I was never scared that my transfer to Tottenham would not be confirmed. I never spoke to Arsenal representatives on the phone, they simply contacted my agent,” N’Jie said.
“My choice was made, I was determined to join Tottenham. Here, I will be working under Mauricio Pochettino, a manager who plays youngsters and allows them to progress.
“On Thursday, after I arrived in London and had my medical tests, he welcomed me, with the president Daniel Levy, to tell me that he hoped I would be available as quickly as possible.
“When I arrived in Europe, it was an aim and a dream to play one day in the Premier League,” he added.
With Arsenal’s interest in N’Jie confirmed before his move to Tottenham, this shows Arsene Wenger is open to the idea of bring in a striker to the Emirates in the ongoing transfer window.
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