Arsenal watched West Ham United top scorer Dimitri Payet in action "many times" with a view to a transfer, manager Arsene Wenger has admitted.
The Frenchman had spells at Ligue 1 sides Saint-Etienne, Lille and Marseille before moving to the Hammers last summer for a reported fee of £11.25m.
Payet has since gone on to become a pivotal part of West Ham's push for European football this season, and Wenger believes that his countryman has now demonstrated his potential.
"We watched him many times," Wenger told reporters at a press conference on Thursday. "I've known him for a long, long time from when he played in Saint-Etienne.
"I think he has all the attributes to be a top, top player. He is in fact. But he's 29 years old. This season he has matured a lot - and he's come back into the national team, where he looked to be out, so that shows he has been much more consistent."
Wenger added that he ultimately decided against a move for Payet as he already had enough "options" in midfield.
Neil Wilkes
