Wenger in hurry to replace Mertesacker
Arsène Wenger will step up his search for a new centre-half after confirming Arsenal “heavyweight” Per Mertesacker will miss the rest of the year.
Mertesacker has been ruled out for several months with a knee injury and Wenger has revealed he will sign a replacement, with targets including Valencia’s Shkodran Mustafi and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly.
Wenger is already under pressure from Arsenal supporters to recruit a striker yet he was in defiant mood in Los Angeles yesterday, attacking the “completely crazy” prices being spent on players this summer.
But the loss of Mertesacker (pictured) has thrown the manager’s preseason preparations into disarray and he has admitted signing an experienced defender is now a priority.
“I don’t count that Per will be back before the end of the year and I will miss him deeply, we have lost a heavyweight in our dressing room,” he said.
“We are still in the market for players, whether it is at the front or the back. Unfortunately we are not alone.
“I can understand the expectation level and anxiety level of our fans because they see other clubs bringing players in. Despite all the money clubs have, not too much has happened until now. We know from experience the most active period is in the last week of August and at the moment it is still a big poker game everywhere.
“The best way to conclude transfers is not to talk about it, but we are in the market. Do I think we will sign an experienced central defender before the season starts? Yes, I do.”
Arsenal’s perceived lack of action in the transfer market is again frustrating supporters, with chief executive Ivan Gazidis forced to defend the club’s policy at a fan event in Culver City on Friday evening.
Wenger, however, is determined to remain patient in his pursuit of new players after admitting transfer fees have gone sky-high, with Paul Pogba’s imminent move to Manchester United for a world-record deal that could rise above £100 million.
“It is completely crazy if you cannot afford to pay it. If you can afford to pay it you can justify it [but] it is completely crazy if you compare it to normal life,” he said.
“Football has become a worldwide competition and that is why clubs can afford to do it. Since I am in this sport I always thought the record cannot go higher and I was always wrong. Maybe in a few years it will be £200million, £300 million – who knows?”
Arsenal finished second behind surprise winners Leicester City last season but Wenger insists the target is to go one better.
“We had 18 teams behind us last year, we want to make sure we get 19 behind us next season,” he said.
“It’s always been difficult, look at my hair and my wrinkles. I think I enjoy it because I am a competitor, I like to improve and move forward, it is a great challenge.”
Arsenal will step up their preparations for the new season with a friendly against Mexican team Chivas tonight.
Meanwhile, Lyon have offered Alexandre Lacazette a new contract to ward off Arsenal attempts to sign the French striker but the 25-year-old has decided that he wants to join the Premier League club.
However, the London club will have to raise their offer to €50 million (£42.2 million) at least if they are to have any hope of persuading Lyon to sell their prize asset.
Arsenal have had an initial offer of €35million rejected for Lacazette and are prepared to make a s econd bid of €41.5million but that is also expected to be turned down.