Mendyl confirms that Arsenal made an approach to sign him

Arsenal made an approach to sign Hamza Mendyl this summer, the player has confirmed.

The defender was courted by a whole host of clubs following an impressive season in Ligue 1 with LOSC Lille. Arsenal were believed to have been keen, but work permit issues denied Mendyl the chance to join an English club.

After plenty of speculation surrounding his future, it was confirmed that Bundesliga giants FC Schalke had completed a deal to sign the promising 20-year-old.

Reflecting on what was a hectic transfer window for himself, Mendyl spoke to Bild and admitted that he had proposals from both Arsenal and Newcastle United regarding a potential transfer.

Yes, there were offers from Arsenal and Newcastle United. The clubs were interested. But being a Moroccan, it would not have been easy to get a work permit in England.

Mendyl plays typically on the left-hand side of the defence and it seems the Gunners had identified him as a potential option to strengthen this position given the injury sustained by Sead Kolasinac.

However, Morocco international Mendyl will be playing his football in the top-flight of German football this season as he looks to develop under Domenico Tedesco at Schalke.