Arsenal Transfer News: Loic Perrin Speaks on Potential Move to Gunners

Saint-Etienne defender Loic Perrin has admitted his agent held "serious" talks with Arsenal throughout the January transfer window, but that his potential move failed to proceed due to him not being "at the very top" of Arsene Wenger's wishlist.

The 29-year-old was linked with a Gunners switch throughout the winter window, as reported by Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror, with many expecting Wenger to strengthen his numbers in defence. The manager obliged, but he opted to sign Villarreal's Gabriel Paulista instead, per the club's official website.

Perrin suggests he would still like to run out at the Emirates Stadium one day, per Hannah Duncan of Metro:

"

There were serious contacts via my agent. I think I was on a shortlist but not at the very top apparently. A transfer in this window, it is difficult. But it is difficult to refuse Arsenal. I have always said that if I have to leave St Etienne, one day, it would be for a bigger club, a club that plays Champions League. A club like Arsenal, I don’t think many Ligue 1 players would refuse.

"

Antonio Calanni/Associated Press

Perrin continues to play a key role in Saint-Etienne's quest for European football. Currently sat fourth in Ligue 1—seven points behind champions Paris Saint-Germain in third—the club need to quickly return to winning ways if a jaunt around the continent is going to be possible next term.

Les Verts have lost their last two matches, but it's players such as Perrin who can help them back to form. The uncapped Frenchman averages 2.5 tackles, 1.6 interceptions and 9.2 clearances per match this season, as reported by WhoScored.com.

The centre-back is an intelligent reader of the game, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him in the Premier League before too long.