Lazio winger Ricardo Kishna has revealed that over the summer he turned down the chance to join Arsenal instead of the Serie A club.

The 20-year-old claims that he turned a number of top clubs down, Arsenal included, because he believes Serie A have the most entertaining sides to watch.

Speaking recently, he said, “I was a fan of Serie A and Lazio were one of the most entertaining sides to watch,’ Kishna said.

“They had a fresh and enjoyable style of football, plus they scored lots of goals.

“When I met the coach and director of sport in Brussels, they convinced me straight away.

“They wanted me because I could cover any of the attacking positions. For Lazio, I turned down sides like Juventus, Roma and Arsenal.”

Ricardo Kishna of SS Lazio in action during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Genoa
ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Ricardo Kishna of SS Lazio in action during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on September 23, 2015 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

These days, when players come out and say they’ve turned us down, I don’t take it too seriously. A lot of it is rumours they’ve heard themselves or they’re just trying to talk themselves up.

The Dutchman has appeared eight times for Lazio so far this season and scored one goal and although it isn’t clear whether we would have wanted him for our first team or reserves – the latter of which being more likely – we have plenty of ‘top, top’ players in that position.

Good luck to the lad but I don’t think we’ve missed out on a huge talent.