Arsenal's failure to complete a deal for Dusan Vlahovic was one of their biggest disappointments of the transfer window, but the striker's comments after joining Juventus suggest it was always going to be difficult.
The London side were prepared to reach Fiorentina's asking price for the player - in the region of £60m - but failed to agree terms with Vlahovic himself over a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Vlahovic has spoken highly of his new club upon joining, saying "Juventus represents pride, tradition, family. Juventus are always there until the last minute, they never give up".
And the 22-year-old hotshot has heaped more praise on the Bianconeri during a museum tour, perhaps explaining why he moved to Turin instead of making the switch to north London.
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Vlahovic toured the Juventus museum alongside fellow new arrival Denis Zakaria after the pair both joined at the end of the transfer window.
Switzerland midfielder Zakaria was snapped up on a cut-price deal amid Premier League interest, with his contract at Borussia Monchengladbach close to expiry.
As the pair toured the museum, Vlahovic reinforced the suggestion that, as soon as Juve entered the picture, he was unlikely to ever opt for Mikel Arteta's team.
“I have reached a level now with one of the biggest and most glorious clubs in the world, so I am feeling incredible emotions,” Vlahovic said, as translated by Football Italia.
While he didn't name Arsenal specifically, his reaction to Juventus' huge array of trophies suggests there were few clubs in the world who could have convinced him to turn down the 36-time Scudetto winners.
Zakaria was similarly glowing, saying “I chose Juve because it’s a club that has always made me dream. That is what being here is: a dream, the best way to continue my career.”
Arsenal were also linked with the 25-year-old when it became clear he would not be staying in Germany, with Manchester United also in the mix before he chose Juventus.
The arrival of Vlahovic and Zakaria wasn't Juventus' only business in a frantic last week of the January transfer window.
Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski both completed deadline day moves to Tottenham on deadline day, the former in a permanent deal and the latter on loan, while Aaron Ramsey will spend the remainder of the season with Rangers.
Juventus went into the January transfer break fifth in Serie A, one point outside the Champions League spots, having played one more game than fourth-placed Atalanta.
However, they remain in contention in this season's Champions League after topping their group ahead of Chelsea, and will take on Villarreal in the last 16 of the competition.
