Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he has ended his pursuit of Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler and will look for a player with “special class” instead.
Asked if he was interested in signing the talented 24-year-old midfielder as a replacement for Mathieu Flamini, who signed for Milan in May, Wenger said: “Yes, in the summer. But not any more.”
Wenger will now turn his attention to signing a player who may be cup tied for this season’s Champions League but could help the club in the Premier League.
Wenger said: “I feel that if we do add somebody, we add somebody who has a special class.
“And I would like to think longer term than just whether that player is eligible for the Champions League this season.”
The Arsenal boss’ comments has lead to much speculation in the UK press that he was contemplating a £20 million move for Russian star Andrei Arshavin.
Arshavin has already represented Zenit St Petersburg in this season’s Champions League and Wenger is reported to be an admirer of the want-away 27-year-old.
