Arsenal told they missed out on £65m transfer 'steal' that was right in front of them
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta didn't land a forward in the final days of the transfer market
Former Arsenal striker Jay Bothroyd has claimed the Gunners missed out on an "absolute steal" late in the window in Manchester City's new £65million acquisition Iliman Ndiaye.
The Senegal international looked to be heading to Tottenham before City pounced to land the attacker for an initial £60m plus £5m in add-ons.
Ndiaye ended up joining Enzo Maresca's side on deadline day after it became clear they wouldn't be able to land Cody Gakpo from Liverpool.
Bothroyd feels it was an opportunity squandered by the Premier League champions, telling Sky Sports: "When you look at the value for money for Ndiaye, I feel like £65million is an absolute steal.
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"I feel bad about that transfer because Arsenal should have gone for early doors. Yes, we went for Vinicius [Junior] who's obviously arguably the best left winger in the world, but when you look at the value for money for Ndiaye, I feel like £65m is an absolute steal.
"Again, as an Arsenal fan, we didn't improve that left hand side and I feel like that's one place we definitely needed to do. You know, we got [Christos] Tzolis there.
"Yes, he started well, but he's a young player, inexperienced player that doesn't know the Premier League, haven't Ndiaye. He would be first choice. He would hit the ground running and it would bring real balance to that Arsenal side."
The 26-year-old mustered 15 Premier League goals combined across the past two seasons but Arsenal evidently felt that he wasn't quite what they were looking for.
They were willing to break the bank for Vinicius Junior while in the final hours of the window, Malick Fofana of Lyon became an option before he eventually ended up joining Sunderland over Crystal Palace.
Iliman Ndiaye ended up joining Man City from Everton
While Ndiaye was considered by Arsenal, he never emerged as a key target for Mikel Arteta. He said upon signing his contract with City: “I’ve worked my whole life for an opportunity like this.
“City are one of the best clubs in the world and I’ve seen them win everything as I’ve grown up. To be able to write my own chapter in a story that special is the chance of a lifetime and I’m determined to grab it with both hands.
“It’s not always been easy in my career, but I always had the belief that I could play for a team challenging for the biggest prizes and now I’m here. It feels so good.
“I love to play with the ball on the floor in an attacking team that wants to score as many goals as possible. That’s why I know this is the perfect fit. City fans can rest assured that I will give my all to bring more success to this incredible club.”
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