Emery content with loan deals in window
UNAI EMERY has said Arsenal cannot afford to buy players on permanent deals in this transfer window, with the club only looking for recruits who can be signed on loan.
The Arsenal head coach, who is seeking a centre-back and a wide player, confirmed that the club does not have the financial power to recruit new players.
Arsenal’s finances have been stretched by their hefty wage bill and by a series of signings in the past 12 months, including the club-record signing of Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang for £56 million. The club signed Bernd Leno, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi in the summer for a total cost of over £70m, but are not looking to strengthen in January.
Arsenal are trying to seal a loan deal for Barcelona’s Denis Suarez, who played as a winger for Emery during his time at Sevilla.
“We cannot sign permanently,” Emery said. “Only loan players. I don’t know his [Suarez] situation now. We can only sign players later on. The club is working on possibilities of which players help us with big performances like we need.”
Spanish reports have also linked Arsenal with a move for Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega, who has also thrived under Emery’s management in the past.
“I know this player and he is a very good player,” Emery said. “I cannot tell you more.”
The Spaniard insisted he is pleased with the composition of his squad. “I am very happy,” he said.
“I know it is not easy for us now in this transfer market and if we can find one player who can help us like we need, with the quality and a different player for getting in our squad, we are going to do it.” (© Daily Telegraph, London)