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The agent of Benedikt Howedes has revealed that his client turned down a move to Arsenal this summer.
The Gunners approached the defender’s representative in a last ditch effort to sign a centre-half.
Howedes, who had made 334 appearances for Schalke was keen to leave the German side this summer after being stripped of the captaincy.
The World Cup winner became a top target for the Gunners who sold Gabriel Paulista to Valencia this summer.
Howedes eventually agreed a one-year loan move to Juventus with an option to buy for £12million – but his agent Volker Struth has confirmed Arsenal, Roma and Leicester also expressed a strong interest.
‘There were talks with Roma, Leicester City and Arsenal in London because we heard here that Mustafi was courted by Inter Milan,’ Struth said.
‘[But Juventus] was Benni’s favourite from the start.
‘Even if Schalke would have done a great job, you want to go to a club like Juve if the chance is there. Juventus is the jackpot.’
Gooners, do Arsenal lack strength in depth at the back? And would Howedes have fit in well at The Emirates? Let us know in the comments…
