Arsene Wenger has finally been pushed into trying to make a dramatic splash in the transfer market.
Wenger has got bids of £15million and £20m-plus respectively in for Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila and Lille forward Eden Hazard. And the Arsenal boss is also going back for another crack at Everton defender Phil Jagielka, having already had two bids turned down.
Wenger still expects Samir Nasri to leave despite his £22m move to Manchester City being held up by a £3m row over agent’s fees, as revealed by Mirror Sport last week.
But Wenger is clearly ready to spend big to try and ease the growing problems at the Emirates after a summer of frustration in the transfer market.
France international M’Vila is seen as a tough midfielder to provide physical strength alongside Jack Wilshere, although Rennes do not want to sell and have already knocked back one approach.
Hazard has been on Wenger’s hit list for more than two years but again Lille do not want to sell and have rebuffed numerous approaches.
However, Arsenal are ready to test Lille’s resolve with serious money and go for one of Europe’s top prospects. Arsenal have already signed Gervinho from Lille this summer.
Wenger recognises the need for a centre half - especially after losing Laurent Koscielny to a back injury - and sees Jagielka as his first choice ahead of Gary Cahill.
Arsenal have had bids of £10m and £12m turned down for Jagielka with Everton reluctant to sell but they will want closer to £20m.
Arsenal have enquired about Cahill but, despite Bolton believing bids were imminent, have always backed off to further suggest Jagielka remains no1.
But Arsenal may be tempted to go back for Cahill if Bolton lower their £17m price as the window nears to closing. Birmingham’s Scott Dann and Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacker are other options.
England coach Fabio Capello backed Wenger, but said he needed to buy.
Asked if he thought Wenger should continue at Arsenal, Capello told Sky Sports’: “I hope he will stay on, I have a good relationship with him, he’s a really good manager, but it’s not a good moment, it’s difficult after six years without a trophy for such an important club like Arsenal.
“I think he needs to buy some new players.I think Arsenal have got money but it’s difficult to find top players to improve the team.”
Arsenal legend Robert Pires told Canal Plus: “The time has come for Arsene Wenger to think about investing the money from player sales into players with experience and more of a guarantee.
“I think other players have spoken with him and told him the same. The set-up has changed now.
“Before this, many players wanted to stay at Arsenal for a long time but this has changed now, too. Players leave now at their first chance.
“That goes for Clichy, Nasri and Eboue. Indirectly, Wenger is to blame. Unless new players come in and others stay then the problem will get worse.
“I don’t think that they can rival the likes of Manchester City or Chelsea but you can’t win just with young players.”
Former Arsenal boss George Graham has also urged Wenger to spend and claims the club must invest to ensure finishing in the top four.
Graham said: “They need experienced, outstanding players and I think they need about another three in the side at the present time.
“They’ve got the money, let’s sit down, get some of these players in he’s supposed to be after and let’s see if they can start winning trophies again.
“They have big signs at the club saying ‘Arsene knows’. Well I hope he does.
“I think he’s going to be there this season. I think he’s under a little bit of pressure just now from the fans.
“But I think Arsene, if he sits down and is honest with himself, he’ll put it all back together again. But he needs to do some hard thinking.
“Please get the the cheque book out Arsene. I think they need another centre-half, I think they still need a strong, outstanding, experienced midfield and I still think they need an out-and-out striker like a (Thierry) Henry.”
By John Cross
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