Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger predicts a frenetic January transfer window

As Arsenal close in on £7m deal for Mohamed Elneny, Wenger discusses the inflationary pressure of the new £5.14 billion television deal

Arsene Wenger was full of praise for his Arsenal side after their win against Manchester City in the Premier League
Arsene Wenger has seen numerous transfer windows come and go Credit: Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Arsene Wenger has predicted that the January transfer window will be one of the most frenetic in Premier League history due to the inflationary pressure of the new £5.14 billion television deal.

Arsenal expect to complete the £7 million signing this week of Basle midfielder Mohamed Elneny and, although further additions are unlikely before the summer, Wenger would also sign a striker if the right deal did become available.

That is most likely if there was a domino impact of major deals across Europe, with Wenger sure that the market will soon become extremely vibrant. The new three year television deal runs from 2016 and 2019 and the Premier League’s £5.14 billion contract is a 71 per cent increase on the previous three-year cycle. Wenger, who has a degree in economics, knows that the inevitable consequence is spiralling prices and he believes that clubs will adjust this month and try to get deals done now.

Mohamed Elneny will shortly be arriving at the Emirates

“I believe many clubs will be active,” he said. “My prediction is that it could be one of the most active January transfer windows that we’ve seen. For the media, it could be good news. The clubs down in the table have to do something. The clubs at the top I’m sure will be active.

“It’s down to the financial power. Inflation could exist after next season. The anticipation to do business now could be important. Everyone feels the responsibility to do something. The teams who fear to go down will feel under pressure not to accept the situation. It can make a difference sometimes. There are teams who have responded well in January.”

Arsenal’s deal for Elneny is currently complicated by issues related to his work permit and visa but there is optimism that it will be completed in the coming days. “We are positive that this week it can happen - the situation can be sorted out,” he said. “As long as it’s not definitely signed you have to be cautious but I’m optimistic.”

One transfer that has been completed is Bournemouth’s purchase of Benik Afobe from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Arsenal had Afobe from the age of six in their academy but sold him to Wolves for £2 million last year. He has scored 22 goals in 46 games for Wolves and has now attracted a fee of £10 million.

Bournemouth in record deal for £12 million Benik Afobe
Former Arsenal striker Benik Afobe has joined Bournemouth

“He has the qualities to integrate a team like Bournemouth based on movement and pace – I’m very happy for Benik,” said Wenger. “He had an outstanding attitude here. It’s a good opportunity and hope he will be successful. Sometimes you have to let people go knowing they could be successful. When they are we are happy because we know we have contributed to his success.

“It’s a normal price for a striker in the Premier League. He has scored goals in lower leagues and the risk is not massive. Bournemouth will take advantage of the extra money at the end of the season. I think everybody will go into the market.”

Arsenal play Liverpool on Wednesday and will have Mesut Ozil and Mathieu Flamini back in their squad but Alexis Sanchez remains sidelined with his hamstring injury until at least the weekend.

Mesut Ozil will be back for Arsenal against Liverpool on Wednesday

Wenger also confirmed that Nacho Monreal has signed an extended contract and, despite regarding Lionel Messi as a worthy winner, reiterated his opposition to the Ballon d’Or.

“I’m a big enemy of the Ballon D’Or,” he said. “It is certainly Messi who will win it. We know that. There was no national team competition. The team who won everything was Barcelona. When you pick a Barcelona it has to be Messi. But Neymar is starting to show he could be a big competitor for him.

Alexis Sanchez is still out injured

“It is a team sport and it looks illogical to encourage individual effort. We live in a society already about individualism. It is contradictory to the root of our sport.”

Wenger was also asked at his press conference this morning about the death of the iconic musician David Bowie. “The message he gave to my generation after the war, what I keep is to be strong enough to be yourself - that was very important,” he said.