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Former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou confirmed Arsenal’s interest in the front-man, and revealed that he indeed turned down a loan move to the Emirates in January.
Speaking to French newspaper L’Equipe, Kalou said, “A possible departure? Yes, to Arsenal. It could have been done as a last minute loan.”
Reasoning his snub, he said that he wanted regular football to prepare for the upcoming Brazil World Cup.
He added, “I want to finish third, prepare for the World Cup and go to the Stade de France to compete in the final of the French Cup.”
Manager Arsene Wenger was desperate to bring in a back up goal scorer for striker Olivier Giroud, and strengthen their attacking options to vie for the Premier League this season.
The 28-year has good English football pedigree, having played 6 seasons at Stamford Bridge, racking up over 250 appearances and scoring 60 goals.
Since his move to the Ligue 1 with Lille, he has flourished as a first team player, scoring an impressive 24 league goals in just 53 starts.
With the title slowly but surely slipping away, the Gunners might rue the fact they were not able to persuade the Ivory Coast international into a temporary to North London.
