Arsenal transfers: Arsene Wenger hints at late bargain deals

Arsene Wenger has hinted that Arsenal could dip into the January transfer market at the very end of the month – because that’s when the Frenchman expects prices to drop.

The Gunners are yet to bring in any new recruits this month and Wenger has made it clear that the club’s most pressing concern is to tie Theo Walcott down to a new contract.

But that has not prevented the north Londoners from being linked with host of names, such as Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha and Napoli forward Edinson Cavani.

However, Wenger looks set to hold out until the last minute if he does choose to strengthen his squad before the window closes on 31 January.

“The prices go always up at the start of the transfer window and go down in the last week,” said Wenger.

“Sometimes as well they go up in the last week but it depends. Most of the time they go down. You know that 90 per cent of transfer activity happens in the last week if not in the last 48 hours.”

Wenger also confirmed that his is a keen admirer of Zaha but insisted that the club are yet to make an offer for the 20-year-old.

“We are looking at him but at the moment we have not made any bid for him,” said Wenger.

“I don’t know if Manchester United are in for him. Anyway, if you call any club for any player, they will tell you Man United, Milan, Real Madrid are as well in for him but it is always difficult to know if it is true or not.”