The defender moved to the Bundesliga outfit from Lille this summer having nearly completed a deal to sign for Unai Emery's side
Arsenal almost signed defender Hamza Mendyl from Lille in the summer, only for work permit problems to scupper the deal, it has been revealed.
The Morocco internationa left-backl, who was a member of his country's squad at the 2018 World Cup, joined Schalke from the French club earlier this week.
However, Mendyl had previously travelled to London ahead of a proposed move to the Emirates Stadium, and the Bundesliga club's sporting director, Christian Heidel, insists that paperwork problems are all that stopped the transfer.
"I think otherwise he would have gone to Arsenal," Heidel said, when asked about the work permits.
The 20-year-old made 13 Ligue 1 appearances last season, and is excited about the prospect of playing in the German top-flight.
"I am very happy to have signed a contract with such a big club," he said.
"With Domenico Tedesco, I encounter a coach known for improving players. He proved that impressively last year. I too would like to develop further under him and help Schalke 04 play a good role in all three competitions [Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Champions League].β
Mendyl has won 13 caps for Morocco, but did not play for his country at the World Cup, despite travelling to Russia.
Somali7967463
0
arsenal has not have a capacity of buying a world class player for more than 60 Euro and they will keep identifying good player for other teams arsenal please you are letting us for many times you also get ashamed
zakaey
0
Good luck u didn't come to the losing team u must be a lucky manπ€£
you mean like how man unted lost against Brighton
Paulus Neppy Muna
0
whn you need a player you must came earlier to him and discuss not last minutes it 'll b difficult for you to convince him.
Paulus Neppy Muna
0
almost doesn't count.
Hubbdnoprt
0
yes
Fisdimnotz
0
Not suprised. How many other players did arsenal "almost" sign
arsenal kept cheating us with dembele nzonzi soyuncu and now mendyl who end up joining other clibs
Africa8004632
1
Am glad we fail on him (not world class !!
CyanKill
5
Not suprised. How many other players did arsenal "almost" sign
khiladisuman
0
π€£π€£ I'm glad you dint go to a very useless bunch of goats Man U. lost to Ordinary Brighton π€£π€£
arsenal he said
Ismitty
0
so you can mock mine but I can't mock yours, wow man utd fans can dish out hate but can't take itππππ
Idiot
muaakmnprs
2
Don't mock my team idiot
so you can mock mine but I can't mock yours, wow man utd fans can dish out hate but can't take itππππ
heroz
1
you mean like how man u lost to Brighton πππππ
lol haha this useless club
dozbnpy
5
π€£π€£ I'm glad you dint go to a very useless bunch of goats Man U. lost to Ordinary Brighton π€£π€£
Ismitty
0
you mean like how man u lost to Brighton πππππ
Don't mock my team idiot
muaakmnprs
2
Good luck u didn't come to the losing team u must be a lucky manπ€£
you mean like how man u lost to Brighton πππππ
Ismitty
3
Good luck u didn't come to the losing team u must be a lucky manπ€£