Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he has
put and end to his pursuit of Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler and
will target a player with "special class" instead.
The Gunners boss had been widely tipped to trigger the Swiss
international's buy-out clause with an £8 million bid but Wenger
has now turned his attention elsewhere.
Asked if he was interested in signing the talented 24-year-old
midfielder as a replacement for Mathieu Flamini, who signed for AC
Milan in May, Wenger said: "Yes, in the summer. But not any
more."
Instead, Wenger will turn his attention to signing a world-class
player who may be currently cup tied for this season's Champions
League but could benefit the club in the Premier League.
Wenger said: "I feel that if we do add somebody, we add somebody
who has a special class.
"And I would like to think longer term than just whether that
player is eligible for the Champions League this season."
The Arsenal boss' comments has lead to much speculation in the
UK press that he was alluding to a £20 million move for Russian
star
Andrei Arshavin.
Arshavin has already represented Zenit St Petersburg in this
season's Champions League and Wenger is reported to be an admirer
of the want-away 27-year-old.
The arrival of the Russian forward would provide a much needed
morale boost to Wenger's young squad following the long-term loss
of injured skipper
Cesc Fabregas.
And although the Gunners boss said last week he would not spend
"silly money" on transfers club chairman Peter Hill-Wood has
suggested there is money to spend.