"Arsenal Interest For Me Was Kept Secret", Says Target

There is this revelation coming in from an attacking midfielder on how he was approached by Arsenal though he was unaware of it at that time.

Jano Ananidze has told the Russian media that he was secretly linked with a move to England - a development he was oblivious of.

According to the 26-year-old, it did not go through as a result of Spartak Moscow's decision to keep him at the club and he claims to be happy plying his trade with them.

He said to Championat: "There’s been interest in me from other countries. I recently found out that an offer came from Arsenal, but they didn’t even tell me about it. But from those requests that are known, I will highlight Valencia, then they were a top team.

"But Spartak decided that I did not leave. Yes, and in 18/19 I decided that I did not want to leave."

Even though Anamidze gave no detail on when the offer came in, records have it that it was at the age of 17 in 2009 when he was still trying to make a name for himself in the Russian Super League. 

He is a Georgian currently on loan at Kryliya Sovetov from Spartak Moscow and has made over 100 appearances for his side.

Interests from Liverpool, AC Milan, Sevilla and Juventus are also being reported.