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Saint Etienne defender Loic Perrin has revealed his regret that a move to Arsenal failed to materialise in the January transfer window.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was pondering a list of several defensive targets before opting to sign Gabriel Paulista in an £11.2million deal from Villarreal.
Perrin pushed for a move to Emirates Stadium throughout last month but it is understood that Arsenal never made a formal offer for the 29-year-old and only regarded him as one of a number of alternatives - including West Ham’s Winston Reid - should they fail to secure Gabriel.
However, Perrin is leaving Arsenal in no doubt of his desire to leave France should Wenger decide to strengthen his backline again at the end of the season.
“There were serious contacts via my agent. I think I was on a shortlist but not at the very top apparently,” he told French outlet ‘BUT!’
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“A transfer in this window, it is difficult. But it is difficult to refuse Arsenal. I have always said have if I have to leave St Etienne, one day, it would be for a bigger club, a club that plays in the Champions League.
“A club like Arsenal, I don’t think many Ligue 1 players would refuse.”
