Arsenal spent heavily in the summer transfer window as they attempt to reclaim the Premier League title but a number of deals did not come off for the Gunners despite Andrea Berta’s best efforts
Andrea Berta
Andrea Berta's attempts to sign Page and Monga ended in frustration(Image: Getty Images)
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Arsenal reportedly missed out on a double deal for Leicester wonderkid’s Jeremy Monga and Louis Page due to Andrea Berta’s unconventional negotiation tactic. The Gunners were linked with the pair as part of a recruitment drive that has seen them hoover up a number of the country’s most promising youngsters.
They have already signed Igor Tyjon from Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United’s James Scanlon as well as Cardiff City starlet Axel Donczew. The North London side have also agreed a deal to sign Georgian youngster Andria Bartishvili.
Arsenal were keen to add Monga and Page to that list, the pair having made a huge impression in the East Midlands but summer switches did not come to fruition. According to BBC Sport, Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta chose to conduct negotiations with intermediaries as opposed to with Leicester colleagues, which is not an unusual move for him, having done the same with the move for Bruno Guimaraes.
But a lack of club-to-club contact on this occasion was cited as a reason as to why moves were not completed. Instead, Monga chose to switch to Premier League rivals Manchester City for £12m, while he has subsequently joined Championship side Swansea City on a season-long loan.
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Page in the meantime ended up staying with Leicester despite late interest from Manchester United. Despite that, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta remains satisfied with a window that has seen the side spend close to £200m.
Asked if he was relieved if the window was closed, the Spanish coach replied: “It is what it is - we don’t decide! I think we all know we had to make a decision on when we wanted the window to be closed, and now that’s it, and now it’s crystal clear everybody’s squads and where everybody has to be."
On if there was any deals that got away, he said: “I don’t know - I think every moment, every situation is different. Sometimes we need to react because something unexpected happens as well, and you need to be prepared for that, so I think every case is different.”
Louis Page and Jeremy Monga
Arsenal were interested in both Louis Page and Jeremy Monga(Image: Getty Images)
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Arteta added: “I don't know, these are just opinions. The window is closed and I prefer to look at all the incredible things that we have in this squad and not to spend any more time on the things that are not part of us right now. That's it and that's my main responsibility.
“Yeah, 100% ticked. The outcome after can be different to what you expect, but the intention is certainly there, which is, in my opinion, what I value the most.”
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