LENS, France -- Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal
still plan on spending "big money" this transfer
window, if he can find the right player.
The Gunners have only made one major signing
so far this summer by bringing in Granit Xhaka in
a deal worth around £30 million, and Wenger is
still searching for that elusive top-quality striker
to strengthen his attack.
But while Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis told
ESPN FC in an interview that the transfer window
should not be seen as biggest key to the club's
success, Wenger reassured fans that he is still
looking to bring in reinforcements.
"I am sure my chief executive didn't want to
dampen the expectations on that front," Wenger
said after Arsenal's 1-1 draw at RC Lens in a
preseason game on Friday. "We are very active,
and if we find the right candidates we will spend
big money. We have already spent big."
Aside from Xhaka, Arsenal have also brought in
two promising young players in Japan striker
Takuma Asano and English defender Rob Holding,
whose transfer from Bolton was completed on
Friday.
Wenger has been linked with a handful of top
strikers in this transfer window -- including
Gonzalo Higuain, Alexandre Lacazette and Mauro
Icardi -- but said he would not discuss any
names he's interested in.
However the Frenchman, who has become known
for making late deals in the window, hinted that
the club's dealings could drag out into August
this time as well.
"It's not over. Today we are in July, and the
transfer market finishes on the 31st of August. We
know as well that a lot happens many times in the
last week," Wenger said. "It's a long time to go,
but we are active. We are working."
Posted Africa News Sports
Chapisha Maoni