Arsenal made contact over Bukayo Saka back-up during transfer window, Man City deal scuppered move

Arsenal made contact with a Bukayo Saka back-up during the transfer window only for Manchester City to scupper the deal.

The Gunners led eventual treble winner City for much of last season, only to stutter at the last allowing Pep Guardiola's juggernaut to pip them to the title.

They are looking to go again this season while also making a good impression on their return to the Champions League. In turn, the Gunners had a relatively busy summer window.

Arsenal signed Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber for big money, and brought in Brentford’s David Raya on loan, while simultaneously parting ways with several fringe players.

And the Gunners could have exceeded their £210million transfer spend had a deal for Wolves’ Pedro Neto not fallen through.

According to the Telegraph Arsenal inquired about Wolves winger Neto, who is among Mikel Arteta’s long-term targets.

However, Wolves had already sanctioned a mass exodus of high-profile stars this summer, including the departure of £47million Rúben Neves to Al-Hilal, Nathan Collins’ £23million exit to Brentford, Conor Coady’s £7.5million move to Leicester and Raúl Jiménez £5.5million transfer to Fulham.

But Arsenal’s attempts to sign Neto may have been scuppered by City’s move for Matheus Nunes.

After Kevin De Bruyne was ruled out for four months City bid £47million for the Portugal international, an offer Wolves duly rejected.

However, Nunes reportedly reacted badly, allegedly taking his boots home from the club’s Compton training ground and refusing to train.

As Nunes refused even to turn up, Wolves’ chairman dug in his heels until the final week of the transfer window.

At that point negotiations between City and Wolves restarted, with the pair agreeing a £53million with add-ons, while the Telegraph claim a fine of two weeks’ wages was factored into the final deal.

City’s pursuit of Nunes likely meant Wolves were unwilling also to part ways with Neto this summer.

The 23-year-old winger would have been signed to provide competition for Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka on the flanks.