Arsenal boss Unai Emery chose not to sign Leicester star Caglar Soyuncu in 2018 summer transfer window because of Calum Chambers
Arsenal boss Unai Emery chose not to sign Leicester star Caglar Soyuncu in 2018 summer transfer window because of Calum Chambers

Arsenal boss Unai Emery chose not to sign Leicester star Caglar Soyuncu in 2018 summer transfer window because of Calum Chambers

While still a Frieburg player, the 23-year-old even openly admitted his desire to move to north London.

He said: “I hope I go to Arsenal.

“I really want to play in the Premier League, but everything depends on the team.”

Soyuncu ended up joining Leicester in a £19million deal from Freiburg ahead of the 2018/19 campaign after Arsenal boss Unai Emery decided against signing him.

Football.London claim Emery felt he did not need another centre-half after Calum Chambers had impressed him in training.

However, Chambers was shipped out on loan to Fulham, who were relegated in their first season back in the Premier League.

Manchester City, who are short on centre-backs following a serious knee injury to Aymeric Laporte, were also believed to be interested in Soyuncu.

Now, Arsenal could regret not bringing Soyuncu in after his solid start to the new season.

The 23-year-old has played every minute of Leicester’s Premier League campaign so far, with Brendan Rodgers’ side sitting in third place.

Despite starting just four top-flight games last season, Soyuncu has seamlessly filled the void left by Harry Maguire, who became the world’s most expensive defender after joining Manchester United for £80million earlier this summer.

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Last week, Rodgers singled out Soyuncu for special praise.

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He said: “It’s only when you work closely with him when you appreciate his qualities.

“For a modern-day centre-half, he’s what you’d want.

“He firstly wants to defend, he’s aggressive in the air, he wants to defend forward, physically he’s got good strength, he’s quick and covers the ground well and he can play.”