The former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou has revealed that he turned down the chance to join Arsenal in the January transfer window.

Kalou, who now plays for the Ligue 1 side Lille, said he was approached about a last-minute loan deal at the end of the transfer window. However he said he rejected Arsène Wenger's approach in order to help his club qualify for Europe.

"A possible departure?" Kalou told L'Equipe. "Yes, to Arsenal. It could have been done as a last minute loan. But I want to finish third, prepare for the World Cup Stadium and go to the Stade de France to compete in the final of the Coupe de France."

The Ivory Coast striker has confirmed, however, that he will leave Lille in the summer and he has previously expressed an interest in returning to the Premier League, to add to his six seasons at Chelsea from 2006 to 2012. He has been in good form in France, scoring 24 league goals in 57 appearances for Lille.