Arsenal reportedly missed out on Blaise Matuidi because of the 30-year-old’s wage demands.

France Football [via the Sun] claim that Arsenal were close to signing Matuidi from Paris Saint-Germain this summer. However, the 30-year-old priced the Gunners out of the running with his alleged wage demands.

Signing Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac apparently put pressure on Arsenal’s wage bill, meaning they had to be tighter with anyone they brought on board unless they managed to offload some of the deadwood.

However, Arsenal’s unused players are already apparently on high wages themselves, making it hard to shift them and meaning the Gunners couldn’t afford to sign anyone else.

Instead, the Matuidi signed for Juventus for a bargain price of £18m.

Manchester United and Manchester City also supposedly enquired about the France international, who has 58 caps for his country.

Although the midfield enforcer was a key player for PSG, making 52 appearances over all competitions last season, the Ligue 1 club recognised that not only is he 30 but he had just one year left on his deal with them, so decided to allow him to leave.

Arsenal fans were furious considering the Gunners’ need for a proven central midfielder. Considering today’s market, £18m for Matuidi is a steal. Juve must be laughing.