Close January transfer window for good, says Wenger

LONDON (Reuters) - Arsene Wenger says the January transfer window should be scrapped and believes few big deals will go through before it closes at the end of the month, the Arsenal boss said on Friday.

Close January transfer window for good, says Wenger

(Reuters)





"I would sign (up) for the January transfer window to be scrapped completely," Wenger told a news conference ahead of the Premier League leaders' home clash with struggling Fulham.

"The January transfer market will not be busy, it is a low-key market this year.

"The financial resources this season explains why the league is so tight."

Arsenal splashed out a club record 42 million pounds ($68.64 million) for Mesut Ozil and injuries to Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott have led to speculation that Wenger may try to bolster his squad this month with new signings.

Wenger, however, has never been a fan of signing players in January and earlier this week labelled transfer talk "distracting".

"We have a very even squad, quality wise," Wenger said on Friday. "We are on a good run and that helps confidence. At the moment we are not close to signing anybody."

Despite Fulham's lowly league position, just a point above the relegation zone, Wenger believes the London club will avoid the drop under new manager Rene Meulensteen.

"Fulham have struggled at home but I believe they have enough quality to stay in the league," he said.

As well as Walcott and Ramsey, Arsenal will also be without Mikel Arteta and Nicklas Bendtner against Fulham, while Tomas Rosicky and Nacho Monreal face late fitness tests.

($1 = 0.6119 pounds)

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by John O'Brien)


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world