Arsenal: Luis Suarez Regrets The Same Old Too Little Too Late

Arsene Wenger has stated that Arsenal had a deal in place to sign Luis Suarez. The regrets, though, are the same old too little too late.

Arsene Wenger is notoriously hesitant in the transfer window. His unwavering belief in his economic principles and unwillingness to compromise see him priced him out of many potential acquisitions, not because the club cannot afford them, but because Wenger is unobliging to match their perceived value, often meaning that Arsenal miss out on the upper echelon players.

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There have been numerous stories in which Wenger has revealed past attempts to sign players that have fallen short. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is perhaps the most famous example. But there are further instances, most recently N’Golo Kante where Wenger stated that he tried and failed to sign twice; once before his move to Leicester City and once last summer.

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Another who has often been cited to the ridicule of Arsenal fans is Luis Suarez. The Gunners made a £40 million plus £1 bid for the then Liverpool striker in the thought that it would activate a release clause in his contract. When asked about the humiliating offer, Wenger revealed that he and the club did have an agreement with Suarez:

"“He was very close [to signing for Arsenal]. We had an agreement with the player. We had been wrongly advised that he had a clause, with a minimal clause, but we had an agreement with the player. You can ask him. I’m convinced he wanted to join us, then they kept him one more year, improved his contract and promised to sell him the year later to a club abroad.”"

The revelation, while not particularly shocking as it would have been surprising to see Arsenal submit such an unorthodox offer had they not believed that it was firstly a valid clause and secondly likely that they could convince Suarez to join them, is another damning indictment on Wenger’s ability in the transfer market.

Missing out on Suarez has clearly dented Arsenal’s chances of success in the four years since then. The Uruguayan is an undoubtedly excellent player, as proven by his time at Liverpool and subsequently at Barcelona.

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It was a major miscalculation by Wenger, one that has cost the club. While it is often seen as comforting or admirable to honestly reveal the process of the failed bid, this is simply too little, too late. Wenger must start finalising these deals, not spouting the ‘so close’ narrative years afterwards.