Arsenal lost out on Dejan Kulusevski to Tottenham after Juventus exit as fresh report sheds light on north London battle for Swedish star

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Arsenal tried to bring the winger to the Emirates in January 2022. However, then-Tottenham manager Antonio Conte and former managing director of football Fabio Paratici convinced the Italian giants to agree on a deal for the former Atalanta man. The 21-year-old initially joined Spurs on loan later that month before making his move permanent 18 months later.

The report adds Tottenham paid a total of €40 million (£33m/$43m) for Kulusevski and Arsenal were not prepared to fork out that kind of fee. Since then, he has become a vital player at Spurs. This may be another case of what might have been for the Gunners.

Over the course of 108 appearances for Tottenham in all competitions, the now 24-year-old has scored 176 goals and bagged 21 assists. And he could be at Spurs for a while yet as his contract runs until the summer of 2028.

Kulusevski's Tottenham side, who sit seventh in the Premier League table, travel to London neighbours Crystal Palace on Sunday before rounding off October against Manchester City in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.