Report: Why Arsenal decided not to sign Dejan Kulusevski in January

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Arsenal decided against pursuing a move for Dejan Kulusevski before he joined Tottenham Hotspur during the January transfer window due to the options they already had within their squad, according to a report from The Athletic.

Kulusevski has been a revelation since arriving in the Premier League. Of course, he joined Spurs off the back of a frustrating time with Juventus. He had only made five starts in Serie A this season.

He is currently on loan. But Tottenham are reportedly planning to make his deal permanent for £25 million at the earliest opportunity. He has scored three and provided six assists in the Premier League.

Had events played out differently however, the Swede could have ended up elsewhere in the Premier League. It is easy to forget now but reports claimed that Arsenal were also keen on Kulusevski.

Ultimately, the winger was still available as deadline day loomed. And it seems that Arsenal were content to make their move at a later date.

The Athletic reports that Arsenal had been admirers of the winger for two years. And they looked at him as a long-term target. However, they reportedly felt that January was not the right time for a move with Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe already in the ranks as left-footed right wingers.

Arsenal being made to rue Dejan Kulusevski decision as he shines for Tottenham

The decision for Arsenal to not sign Kulusevski is coming back to haunt them right now. Mikel Arteta’s men have it all to do to regain fourth place in the Champions League race.

And one of the reasons Spurs have now taken that position is the form of Kulusevski. He has been ‘sensational‘ alongside Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.

Obviously, it is impossible to know if he would have been as prolific for Arsenal. But it is probably fair to say that simply stopping Tottenham signing him may have been beneficial in itself.