Transfer Centre

Arsene Wenger "expects" new Arsenal signings, but is "not close" to any deals

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 21 August 2015

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says that he "expects" new signings, but the club are "not close" to getting any deals over the line.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that he "expects" the club to sign new players before the close of the transfer window on September 1, but is adamant that he will not buy for the sake of it.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech is the only player to come through the doors at the Emirates this summer, but the Gunners have been regularly linked with Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema.

In this morning's press conference, while Wenger did not mention any names, the Frenchman did not rule out adding to his squad.

"I expect [signings] like you, but at the moment we are not close," Wenger told reporters. "I listen to everybody, but my job is to make decisions. We want to develop players as well rather than overthinking whether to buy.

"I am not against buying when it is a plus for your team, [but] if it is just to buy a player at the level of the players that you have to make people happy, I am not ready for that.

"If it is somebody who brings something that you don't already have in the squad, then of course you want to do that."

Arsenal are preparing for Monday's visit from Liverpool.