News outlets from Germany claim that FC Schalke planned on signing Sead Kolasinac back from Arsenal this summer.
The Bundesliga outfit wanted to poach him back to their club before the European deadline day.
Arsenal had strengthened the left-back spot by signing Kieran Tierney from Celtic. They also had Nacho Monreal in the squad until the veteran was allowed to leave for Real Sociedad.
Now, it has been revealed that Unai Emery wanted his compatriot to stay which would have opened up an avenue for Kolasinac to leave. But reports also claim that a transfer out of the Emirates would not have been as easy.
Kolasinac has underperformed after the reputation he picked up of being a top fullback in the Bundesliga. In two years, he has failed to secure a starting spot at Arsenal and it is likely he will continue to serve as a backup once Tierney returns from injury.
In 2017, Kolasinac’s acquisition seemed to have been a steal by Arsene Wenger since he arrived on a free transfer. Because of that, he was rewarded with a wage package worth £100,000-per-week.
Schalke was not ready to meet those salary expectations and neither to pay such a hefty sum owing to the 26-year-old’s length of his contract. Kolasinac is contracted to Arsenal till June 2022.
See Also: Best Arsenal XI Of All Time
