Barca president Sandro Rossell insisted earlier this month that he could “completely rule out the transfer of Villa during the winter market” and it appears Wenger will now have to turn to other targets with time running out ahead of Thursday’s 11pm deadline.
Asked if there was any room for negotiation with Barcelona over Villa, Wenger replied: “No.”
Wenger had confirmed his interest in the Spanish international in December, and it has been thought that he was keen on a move to the former Premier League champions. He has been a fringe player at best during the current campaign, but Wenger said that a deal is unlikely to happen before the window closes on Thursday.
Villa has started only seven La Liga games this season as he struggles to regain a regular first-team place after missing the majority of last season with a broken leg.
But Barcelona are adamant Villa is not for sale, a stance Wenger confirmed this morning. “The speculation doesn’t go away but Barcelona don’t want to sell David Villa,” he said. “They have made that very, very clear.
“You respect the desire. If I say that somebody is not for transfer I expect the other clubs not to try to buy him.
“In January, it’s very difficult to find players who strengthen your team when you’re in our position.”
Although many Arsenal supporters are desperate to see additions to the squad, Wenger insisted it would not be a major issue were the club not to make any new signings.
“I don’t see it as a problem,” Wenger said. “When you speak about ‘anyone’ coming in, I could go out and buy someone just to give people hope. What is important is that you bring in players who can strengthen your team, or you do nothing and are strong enough to do nothing.
“That is what is important for us, to bring in a player who can strengthen the squad. ‘Anyone’ to me means exactly what the modern game has become. As numbers we have enough. We have plenty of quality strikers.”
No comments:
Post a Comment