Arsenal tried to sign Juventus star on deadline day, claims journalist

Arsenal made a late attempt to try and sign Simone Zaza from Juventus on transfer deadline day, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

There was plenty of speculation involving the north London club as the clock ticked down on the summer window, with the Gunners linked with late moves for Paris Saint-Germain star Edinson Cavani and Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain.

However, reporter Di Marzio claims that Arsenal expressed a serious interest in signing 24-year-old striker Zaza from the Serie A side before Tuesday’s deadline.

The north London club were, however, forced to withdraw their enquiries after Juventus placed a €30m price-tag on the Italy forward, according to Di Marzio.

Di Marzio says that Juventus told Arsenal that Zaza would cost that much “knowing that they would never pay that much for him on deadline day”.

Zaza only signed for Juventus back in July after scoring 21 league goals in two seasons for Sassuolo.

MORE: Read the latest Arsenal player tweets

Arsenal ended up not signing any new players on Tuesday, leaving Petr Cech’s arrival from Chelsea as the north London club’s only new recruit this summer.

The Gunners return to Premier League action against Stoke City on 12 September.