Rumoured additions: Berbatov & Diego Costa. Wenger says decision on hold

Details: Written by George White; Published: Friday, 03 January 2014 17:51

Whether Arsenal sign a striker or not hinges on the fitness of Nicklas Bendtner after the Danish striker suffered an injury when scoring the crucial opener against Cardiff on New Years Day.

That is the thought of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger who was speaking at his pre-match press conference today.

Injury situation the key

He also discussed rumours linking Dimitar Berbatov with the club but wasn’t asked about Diego Costa, the Atletico Madrid forward who the Gunners are apparently lining up a £32 million bid for.

When asked about Berbatov, Wenger said:

“He is not a name that we have considered at the moment. We have not even been out on the transfer market, we have not contacted anybody.

“We are just analysing the situation, being very cautious until we are well informed about Bendtner and (Yaya) Sanogo as well, because he is back in training now. We will make a decision after that.”

Limited options

Le Professor went on to reveal that the north London giants are assessing their options at the moment but said they were limited.

“I don’t want to go into any speculation on any specific name,” said Wenger.

“That would not help where the player plays at the moment and would be disrespectful to the player’s club. At the moment we are just considering our options. I must confess they are quite restricted.”

Diego Costa link, surely false?

As mentioned, reports today suggested Arsenal were lining up a £32 million bid for Diego Costa, the Mirror revealed this new this morning.

The article is by Paul Gorst, not John Cross who is normally the man for Gunners news so has to be scrutinized.

Wenger confessing that his options are restricted suggest this is ludicrous. The Brazilian forward has been sensational for Atletico this season and according to the Daily Star has a £32 million buyout clause.

It would be incredibly surprising if Arsenal were to spend that sum of money just months after dishing out £42.5 million for Mesut Ozil.

However, maybe it does depend on Bendtner’s injury, although if he is out long term I think we are more likely to see Berbatov than Costa coming to the Emirates.

Latest:

Comments

+1 #13 Jeff 2014-02-02 06:40

Wenger has too much in his plate we need someone to do purchasing of players. Wenger not the ideal person for that. We need a skillful and shrewd negotiator a results orianteted. Someone who is realistic with uptodate assessment skills who can win players not to make Arsenal a loughing stoke by making weird offers such as £40mil and £1pound offer. Or the £24m offer for someone with a clause of £37m. Asene Wenger is retrogressive in this regard. He is a dacade behind

#12 J. Makor 2014-01-07 13:20

Mr. Wenger please I am appealing to you, buy me one more good striker. I can see trophies in sight. Let us not miss this opportunity this time around. The group of players we have now can do something for us this season, especially the defenders and midfielders see how well they are performing. Do something positive, time is running out.

+2 #11 ahmed 2014-01-07 11:42

Surely if wenger refuse to buy not only striker but a good and quality striker,we will have no alternative but end this season without single trophy.

#10 Moses 2014-01-05 22:04

I am glad Arsene has a handful of srikers and defenders in sight to strengthen the team for the second rounds.
Moses

+1 #9 T C 2014-01-05 20:58

Berbatov is better than nothing, I can't see Wonga spending anymore dose in this window.

#8 John 2014-01-05 18:33

Our problem as usual 'short-sightedness' lets we buy a good striker we r more than out.AW! You cannot apply the same formula over same problem n expect a different answer!Don't fool yourself,unless u r trophyphobic

+1 #7 Macgooner56 2014-01-04 22:19

If coast is the man arsene want and 32m is the release clause.then bring him in.and for another 2m get berba as well.we arent exactly broke or fighting off debt.be brave arsene and be positive.GO AND GET YOUR MAN!!!!'

#6 Allien sheriff 2014-01-04 13:53

nt that our striker is nt good bt he make as if he knws hw to play much, i persionally prefer D.cost than berbatov, gorou is the same as berbatov so plz wengar u need d.costa as a striker.

#5 Big Al 2014-01-04 06:14

Quoting John Crosebery:

If the rumours are true, then I would prefer Diego Costa to Berbatov because, Diego Costa is a more clinical finisher compared to berbatov and his younger too. If Wenger gets D.Costa, there is going to be a lot of competition in the front line,like the competition which is there for the midfield positions,and it will make it less harder to win a trophy or trophies.

You compare the the two as if the £30 million difference doesn't even matter. It would be a dream but surely we couldn't spend that money until the summer nor would we be able to bring in a top performer in the middle of the season. I want a world class striker at arsenal as much as the next but we are gonna have to deal with someone like Berbatov until the summer.

+2 #4 John Crosebery 2014-01-03 22:25

If the rumours are true, then I would prefer Diego Costa to Berbatov because, Diego Costa is a more clinical finisher compared to berbatov and his younger too. If Wenger gets D.Costa, there is going to be a lot of competition in the front line,like the competition which is there for the midfield positions,and it will make it less harder to win a trophy or trophies.

+4 #3 Shogun 2014-01-03 21:43

If we don't buy a new striker we can kiss the league title good-bye!!! Don't fool yourself Wenger!!!!

-1 #2 VICTOR OKOCHA 2014-01-03 18:57

If wenger refuse to buy a good striker that is better than the france striker he have now, arsenal will not win anything this season. We need a good striker and song,our strikers is not good enough and not just a striker but a good striker that is better than gioruo nd bendtner. Mark my word, no good striker no trophy for wenger this season again.

-2 #1 Solomon williams 2014-01-03 18:49

It is different playing spl and bpl it will be good decision to bring in berbatov

Refresh comments list