Geoffrey Kondogbia snubbed a move to Arsenal to join Inter Milan instead.
The Serie A side splashed out £28 million to sign the French midfield enforcer from Monaco, with Arsenal reportedly only offering £9 million for Kondogbia.
The Gunners are supposedly looking to add a midfield general this summer to add to their mass creativity and Kondogbia – for many Arsenal fans – was the man they wanted to see come in and strengthen the side’s core.
The France international reportedly had a £24.6 million release clause in his contract, yet it’s thought the Gunners only tabled a £9 million bid, while AC Milan offered £20 million for the player’s services.
But after much speculation and talk, it was Inter who swooped in and nabbed the robust midfielder from under everyone’s noses.
After passing his medical and agreeing personal terms with Inter, Kondogbia admitted he shunned a move to the Emirates and Milan after being convinced by Roberto Mancini that Inter was the place to be.
So knowing of Kondogbia’s ability and potential, as well as his Champions League and international experience, have Arsenal missed a trick with the Frenchman?
To be honest, I would have loved to seen him at Arsenal this summer. His height, strength and movement would have done wonders for us and I believe he would have flourished under Arsene Wenger and playing with the current Arsenal side.
It’s a shame and quite annoying to hear that we were pipped to the post by Inter Milan. Yes, the Italian side are a massive club, but we are bigger and are actually in the Champions League next season!
We could have easily matched Inter’s £28 million offer, why we didn’t, only Arsene Wenger knows. What’s stranger is that Wenger is a keen admirer of his fellow countryman, so you would have thought he would have fought harder to acquire his signature.
I believe the club have missed a trick with Kondogbia – he would have been a great signing for us. I just hope we don’t miss out on our other reported midfield targets this summer as we need someone to come in and strengthen the side.
Arsenal missed no trick , this is typical Arsene Wenger who is living in a different world and different times . a genius Professor of economics must think ans act differently from other football mangers and people .
Morons like you really shouldn’t speak. If you think £28m for Kondogbia is a good deal you need to be carted off to the funny farm. How many times have you seen him play? Probably twice. You impressed with that deflected goal he scored? Where was he in the return leg? No-where, running like a headless chicken. He is average at best. Get over yourself, idiot!
the same thing was said about m’villa and capoue. I thnk kondogbia is a good player but i believe we are not that desparate to splash that kind of money on a young unproven player, i say unproven bcoz monaco was a defensive team that relied on counter attacks meaning his defensive ability wasnt put to the test often coz the whole team was defending in numbers. B4 we judge lets see how he performs for inter first.
I do not think we a in desperate need of Kondogbia’ services.
Why do you think Arsenal I’d better/bigger than Inter ? How many European cups and league titles do each have?
Agree he isn’t Arsenal class but also agree Wenger needs to learn to bid sensible and REALISTIC prices for these players. We have lost out on so many due to stupid bids then others pay the money get the players and win trophies. We need 3 top players and the premiership is ours!
Imbula is a million times better than Kondogbia. He’s the man Arsenal should go for. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern wouyld never buy a player so technically inept as Kondogbia and neither should Arsenal. Imbula is a sensational box-to-box Vieira-like beast we need with incredible technique and defensive qualities.
As for me we didn’t miss any trick in nt signing geofrey#kondogbia bcos he is nt and cnot be guaratee a startin berth @arsenal nd besides intermilan needs him more desperately than us.nd dnt forget we stil get jack nd jon toral out there who cn cover 4 us in case #le coq get injured