Transfer news: Arsene Wenger admits it is important to bring in new players before the transfer window shuts

Gunners' boss is yet to make a significant signing despite pursuit of Luis Suarez and Luiz Gustavo

Luis Suarez, Luiz Gustavo and Arsene Wenger (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsene Wenger has confirmed he is still attempting to add to the Arsenal squad, but has once again reiterated his happiness with the players already at his disposal.

Gunners’ fans have been pleased that some of the ‘deadwood’ has been moved on from the Emirates, with Sebastien Squillaci, Andrey Arshavin and Andre Santos all leaving the club and Marouane Chamakh closing in on a move to Crystal Palace.

But the club’s supporters have been as equally frustrated with the lack of new faces brought in to strengthen the side, with chief executive Ivan Gazidis announcing at the start of the summer that the north London club had £70m to spend on new players – a budget they are yet to tap in to.

Wenger’s main target has been the well-publicised pursuit of Luis Suarez, with a £40m plus £1 bid being immediately rejected by Liverpool, who want to keep hold of the talented-yet-troublesome striker.

The 63-year-old Frenchman has admitted though that it is important to try and bring in players before the transfer window closes.

"We are in the transfer market and we try still to strengthen our squad," Wenger told Arsenal Player.

"It's important as well now to focus on the squad who are already at the club and that you focus on the competition, not only on the transfer market."

It has been reported this morning that they are closing in on the signing of Bayern Munich midfielder Luiz Gustavo, with a fee of around £15m being linked with the switch.

The Brazilian would become Arsenal’s first major signing of the summer, having brought in French Under-20 striker Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer. Sanogo made his home debut in last weekend’s Emirates Cup, but despite showing some potential for the future, he did nothing to suggest he will turn around the Gunners and lead their Premier League title assault.