Wenger confirms 1st January signing: “We need more players due to injuries”, £15m fee accepted

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that the club is in need of reinforcements during the January transfer window. The Gunners have been hit hard by injuries with players such as Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky missing out due to long-term injuries.

Wenger understands the severity of the situation and recently hinted that he has targets in sight. Speaking to BeIN Sport, the Frenchman said: “Yes, we are short, and the number of games we have to play in January are very important. God knows how we will come out of the Christmas period, with a lot of demand on the physical front so we need to do something.

“I would love to give you names, downstairs on the bar with a coffee but not in front of your camera.”

The Mirror claims that Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama is the top transfer target for Arsenal in the upcoming transfer window.

The report claims that the Gunners will try their best to sign the Kenyan international in January. The Gunners are currently short in midfield due to injuries to Francis Coquelin and Jack Wilshere, and Wenger has chosen Wanyama to fill the void for the second half of the season.

Wenger believes a fee of £15m will be enough to force the Saints into selling the 24-year old, who has been the subject of the Gunners’ interest in the past too. Arsenal legend Robert Pires recently claimed that the defensive midfielder would be the perfect signing for the Gunners.

When asked whether the Kenyan could play for Arsenal, Pires said: “Why not? He has the speed, skill and physique. I, however, think he needs to score more goals because then he will be world-class material.”

Wanyama moved to the Saints from Scottish giants Celtic in 2013 for a fee believed to be in the region of £12.5 million. He has since then featured in 70 league appearances for the Saints.