Arsenal tried to sign Christopher Nkunku during the January window but couldn’t get a deal agreed with PSG. Now, the player has reportedly asked to leave and is available for €15m.

Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder Christopher Nkunku kicks the ball during the French League Cup round of 8 football match between Orleans (USO) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Source stadium in Orleans, on December 18, 2018. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain’s French midfielder Christopher Nkunku kicks the ball during the French League Cup round of 8 football match between Orleans (USO) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Source stadium in Orleans, on December 18, 2018. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Getty Images)

This, of course, comes just a few weeks after it was reported that Arsenal had cooled their interest in the player.

Back in January, Arsenal wanted to take the player on loan with an option to buy. This was apparently too complicated for PSG although why, when that sort of deal happens all the time, is beyond me. Just look at Arsenal and David Ospina, for instance.

At the start of June, reliable PSG-focused outlet Paris United reported that whilst Arsenal were ‘very interested’ in Nkunku for a time, they haven’t followed up that interest recently.

That’s despite the fact the midfielder’s value appears to have dropped from €20m a couple of months ago to ‘between €8m and €12m’ at the start of June. With Nkunku’s contract expiring next summer, it’s no surprise PSG might be willing to accept a bit less.

Now it’s back up to €15m, however, hinting at the fact nobody really seems to have any actual inside information.

Nkunku scored four goals and provided two assists in 29 appearances in 2018/19, but he only managed 17 starts in all competitions. The 21-year-old was presumably particularly disappointed to make zero appearances in Europe all season.

Given the PSG star’s great versatility, this may still be a deal worth reviving at some point, particularly given the somewhat reduced asking price.