Transfer news: Arsene Wenger reveals Arsenal 'looked into' signing Robert Lewandowski from Borussia Dortmund

Arsenal tried to sign Robert Lewandowski but knew Bayern Munich deal was practically done

Robert Lewandowski (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted for the first time that the Premier League leaders tried to sign Robert Lewandowski before he quit Borussia Dortmund for Bayern Munich.

The Polish forward signed a five-year contract with the German and European champions on Saturday but was the subject of interest from across the continent before signing for Pep Guardiola's side.

With Olivier Giroud, Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott all out injured, the need for strikers is reaching critical point at the Emirates but Wenger says Lewandowski was never a realistic target.

He said: "Yes we looked into Lewandowski but honestly he signed for Bayern one and a half years ago, everyone knows that.

"They can only make it official now because he is in the last six months of his contract.

"We are like everyone, we look out there and see what is happening. If an opportunity turns up, you know as well that all the big players are at big clubs at the moment and they go for important targets.

"Unless you have a club in a desperate financial situation it will be difficult.

"If we find someone like Gnabry at that age when nobody knows them, then maybe. But I just said many times we don’t rule anything out.'

Wenger also confirmed his interest in Bayern striker Mario Mandzukic, despite the German club insisting they have no plans to sell.

"Lewandowski is at Dortmund until the end of the season and they will not sell Mandzukic now - maybe at the end of the season."