Cheikhou Kouyate claims Arsenal contact

Anderlecht defender Cheikhou Kouyate has claimed that he spoke with Arsene Wenger about a potential move to the Gunners during the transfer window.

It was another summer of change for Arsenal, with star names Robin van Persie and Alex Song leaving for Manchester United and Barcelona respectively.

Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud were among the big-name arrivals, but Senegalese Kouyate has revealed that he could have joined them at the Emirates after having contact with Wenger, who was considering buying defensive reinforcements.

"The fans of Anderlecht asked me to stay for the club and they showed me their appreciation," Kouyate said.

"Qualifying for the Champions League was also very important for me, because without that I think I should have been in London where I had a good contact with Arsene Wenger and Arsenal."

Kouyate was also linked with Newcastle United and West Ham United.