Arsenal nearly signed German superstar at the start of the summer

After his refusing a new contract at Borussia Dortmund, Marco Reus has become one of the most sought-after players in European football, with Manchester United and Liverpool particularly keeping tabs on his situation from the Premier League. However, the German international was close to signing for Arsenal in the early parts of the summer, before the Gunners ruled themselves out of a purchase when Reus injured his ankle ligaments, reports Metro.

The respected Spanish journalist Kike Marin writes that Arsene Wenger was close to a £27.6 million deal to bring the attacking midfielder to the Emirates Stadium. The deal was only aborted after Reus tore ankle ligaments whilst warming-up for the World Cup in June. The player was an unfortunate absentee from the German side which eventually lifted the trophy in Brazil, and he was no longer wanted by Arsenal as well. 

The Gunners have since turned their attention elsewhere in the transfer window, and were successful in their bid to bring Alexis Sanchez into the club. The Chilean attacker does not represent a like-for-like swap for Reus, but he is a comparatively exciting, entertaining player.

Links between Reus and either Man United or Liverpool will continue to bubble, but Arsenal fans might wonder what might have been, despite having Sanchez in their ranks. Reus is still considered as one of the best footballers in the world today, despite his missing out on German success on the world stage this year.