Over the summer, Arsenal were linked with an £8.8m bid for Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder, Aymen Barkok, but the rumours died down after July and a move never went ahead.
According to Spox, Arsenal were keen to sign Barkok from Eintracht during the summer. The Gunners were even reportedly willing to pay £8.8m to bring the 19-year-old to north London.
Just as fast as the rumours surfaced, they disappeared again and we’ve not heard anything about the midfielder since July. Interestingly, the rumours cooled right down as soon as Barkok acknowledged them.
The teenager admitted that he was flattered by the reports that Arsenal wanted to sign him but felt he needed to prove himself in the Bundesliga first.
“To be honest, I learned from the press,” Barkok told Weisbadener Kurier. “I have not received a request yet. But, of course, I am flattered.
“It would be great to play in the Europa League or Champions League. But that is still a long way away. I have to prove myself in the Bundesliga.”
Perhaps the media didn’t see any point in reporting that Arsenal wanted to sign Barkok after he more or less poured cold water over the rumour. Or perhaps the Gunners had genuinely wanted to sign the German and backed off after hearing his comments.
Barkok has until June 2020 on his contract with Eintracht and is gradually gaining more experience in the Bundesliga, which is exactly what he wanted. The midfielder has made five league appearances so far this season but is yet to score.
During the summer, the teenager admitted he was surprised with how much game time Eintracht coach Niko Kovac gave him last term.
“It was very, very good. I never expected that I would get so much time,” he said. “I am very grateful to Coach Niko Kovac for giving me so much confidence.
“I feel most comfortable playing the eight or 10. At the European Championship, I also played on the left front, but I can handle it as a six. I think I am very flexible.”
During 2016/17, the German u21 international featured in the Bundesliga 18 times, scored twice and assisted twice. Barkok seems to be on the right track. Whether Arsenal will return for the midfielder, however, remains to be seen.