Leandro Trossard linked up with Brighton when completing a switch from Genk in the summer of 2019.
The 27-year-old could have ended up at Emirates Stadium had interest from Premier League heavyweights been embraced.
However, the decision was taken to steer clear of the fierce competition for places in north London, his agent has now revealed.
Trossard’s representative, Josy Comhair has told HUMO of how a transfer to England was first completed: “[Graham] Potter came to Brussels especially for Leandro. With an extensive Power Point presentation to convince him. He absolutely wanted him. There were other options. In the same period, I had several conversations with Arsenal.
“They came to Belgium four times. I’ll give you a note: most players would have chosen Arsenal. But what would have happened if Leandro didn’t get to play? Then there is only one way out: to take a step back. People don’t realise what that does in someone’s head.
“I know Leandro: bench him three times and he goes wild. So, we turned it around: if he does well at Brighton, he doesn’t have to back down, he can take a step forward. Didn’t we get it right?”
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