by Lewis Ambrose

According to the Mirror Arsenal have rejected the chance to sign former Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo on loan from Valencia.

Negredo joined City back in 2013 and helped the club win the Premier League title during his only season in England. Despite an impressive start to his time in this country the Spanish striker soon lost form and returned to La Liga after just nine Premier League goals in twelve months in England.

Last season he was on loan at Valencia but the Spanish club had an obligation to buy him for a fee of around £20M with half to be paid this summer and half to be paid next summer.

Appearing in 29 games following a broken leg he managed just five La Liga goals, a disappointing tally. Now the Spanish side are eager to offload him in an attempt to cushion the blow of paying the big fee that is owed to Manchester City.

Arsenal and Liverpool have allegedly been offered the striker on loan with an option to buy him but both have rejected the idea. Arsène Wenger is unlikely to sign a striker unless he can find a big upgrade on what he already has, which Negredo isn’t.

Clearly Valencia are hoping that someone still recalls that England witnessed in Negredo and not the one who has faded badly over the past 18 months. They might get lucky, but it won’t be with Arsenal.