Arsenal were interested in signing Loic Remy before Chelsea move says Harry Redknapp

Loic Remy turned down the chance to join Arsenal in the final days of the summer transfer window before agreeing to move to Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Remy, who had earlier in the summer seen a move to Liverpool fall through after failing a medical, netted 14 Premier League goals in 24 starts on loan at Newcastle United last season.

Despite parent club Queens Park Rangers being consigned to his departure, Remy did not move to Chelsea until two days before the transfer slammed shut, moving to Stamford Bridge for a reported £10.5m.

The France international has made just four league starts for Jose Mourinho's side this season and Redknapp, the QPR boss at the time of Remy's exit, admits he was surprised he did not take up the chance to join Arsenal.

"I got a phone call on the Saturday before the transfer window shut saying that he had done a deal with Chelsea," said Redknapp. "Arsenal were in for him as well, we had Arsenal and Chelsea trying to sign him and he chose Chelsea.

"I was surprised he went to Chelsea, I thought he'd go to Arsenal. I could see Arsenal, but I couldn't really see Chelsea because I thought 'he's not going to play there.' It's a waste really, it's a bit of a waste of a real Premier League goalscorer. I don't know what persuaded him to be number two at Chelsea. I thought Arsenal, where he would have played more, would be his move at the time."

Danny Welbeck moved to North London from Manchester United on deadline day and it is likely that the move was forced by Remy turning down a move to the Emirates Stadium.

With Diego Costa out until May with a hamstring injury, Remy will be entrusted with leading the Chelsea attack for the next four matches, starting against former club QPR on 12 April.