The signing of Granit Xhaka for £35million remains Arsenal’s only capture this summer despite their attempts to land a striker and centre back and the lack of action has concerned Gunners fans who have grown frustrated at the lack of spending.
Arsenal are linked with a big money move for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, but Arsene Wenger’s latest comments on the transfer market will give pause to Arsenal fans who think he is going to splash the cash before the transfer window closes.
Wenger said: ‘Before you pay over the odds you have to be convinced by the player. Can he strengthen your squad? Then you must have the money available to pay, because we already invested at a very high price. And we will do so again.
‘We work very hard and I cannot tell you much more. What I fight against is to tell the only way is to buy. It is right when you buy. We are not scared to spend the money. It is about the quality.
‘I think this club has been built on that. The main thing on building the club is based on the transfer policy. I know everyone questions that because we’ve not done as much as they wish.
‘I’ve done over 400 transfers, and I know every transfer is written. You are not the only person to decide on [them].’
And Wenger has yet again bemoaned the the price of players in today’s transfer market – especially for English clubs due to the amount of money in the Premier League.
He said: ‘There’s two markets. One for English clubs, one for others.
‘English clubs can suffocate themselves. They have to pay massive wages, even when the players go out, they have to pay half their wages.
‘That means over a longer period, the advantage for English clubs will drop.’
One player who won’t be signing is Algerian Riyad Mahrez after he penned a new four-year deal at Leicester. Wenger, who was interested in Mahrez, as well as his teammate Jamie Vardy added:
‘I don’t want to speak individually about players.
‘He has been outstanding if you look at his numbers. He was top three in terms of goals and assists. He had the best combination in the league.’
While injures might force Wenger to spend money this summer it is clear that his preference would be to stick with the squad that he has. Considering how Manchester United, City, Liverpool have strengthened, it is remarkable to me that the Arsenal boss does not realize that his team is getting further away from the title, not closer.
