Wenger: Dzeko out of Arsenal price-range
442 Staff - Tuesday 08 December 2009, 16:38
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits VfL Wolfsburg hitman Edin Dzeko – also reportedly wanted by AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur – may be out of the Gunners’ price-range.
Dzeko has caught the eye of a number of European outfits after impressing in the Champions League with three goals in the group phase.
The 23-year-old bagged 26 goals last season as Wolfsburg clinched the Bundesliga title and has been tipped as a possible replacement for Arsenal’s injured striker Robin van Persie.
Pressure is mounting on Wenger to sign a striker during the January transfer window and has been linked with a £15 million bid for the Bosnian international.
The Gunners boss, though, concedes Dzeko’s price-tag may prevent him from luring the Wolfsburg star to the Emirates Stadium.
“I like the player,” Wenger admitted. “But they fly too high right now, price-wise.”
The Frenchman also ruled out the possibility of long-term transfer target Moroccan forward Marouane Chamakh joining Arsenal in January.
Chamakh’s Bordeaux have already sealed their place in the Champions League knockout stages and Wenger admits the reigning French champions are unlikely to relinquish their prized asset.
“He is not available, their [Bordeaux’s] chairman says that,” he said.
“They are top of their group in the Champions League. Why should they sell him now?
“How for their fans can they sell one of their best players in the middle of the season when they are in an excellent position?”