'I wanted Arsenal to sign him': Darren Bent says £50m star who was reportedly open to Gunners move is now on fire

Arsenal have enjoyed a fruitful summer on the transfer front, making several exciting signings that have gone a long way towards strengthening the squad.

The Gunners were somewhat slow out of the starting blocks, but their finish to the transfer window was nothing short of remarkable.

Arsenal signed Riccardo Calafiori in late July before adding Mikel Merino to their ranks towards the end of August.

The Gunners then landed Neto on deadline day before bringing Raheem Sterling to N5 – also on loan – right before the window shut.

All in all, it was a good transfer window for Arsenal. However, there will always be debates regarding which players a club should’ve moved for.

Darren Bent has now described a player the Gunners reportedly wanted in January as the signing of the summer – for another Premier League club.

Darren Bent wishes Arsenal had signed Amadou Onana

The player in question is Amadou Onana, who swapped Everton for Aston Villa in a deal reportedly worth £50million.

Back in January, it was reported that Arsenal were eyeing Onana, who in turn was open to joining the Gunners, but nothing came of it in the end.

Then, in June, Villa brought the Belgium international to B6, and he has hit the ground running at his new club.

Onana has registered two goals in his first three Premier League outings for Unai Emery’s side.

Bent, speaking on talkSPORT (3/9/2024, 5:45pm), says Onana has been the signing of the summer, and he wishes Arsenal had made a move.

“Best one, it is a lot of money, but I really like what they have done there,” said Bent.

“They lost a really key player in Douglas Luiz and they brought in Onana. Oh! I wanted Arsenal to sign him.

“He is a powerhouse, by the way. Two goals in his first three games as well. I think he has been a great signing.”

Arsenal have solid midfield options for the present and future

Onana would’ve certainly been a solid signing for Arsenal, but the question is whether he would’ve taken well to a squad role.

Nevertheless, the Gunners have a solid midfield contingent as it stands. Arteta has Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Merino, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz at his disposal.

In addition, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are waiting in the proverbial wings, and both look like they could become first-teamers for the Gunners.