Arsene Wenger: I’m not close to buying

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he is “not close” to making any new signings and will not do so just for the sake of it. The Gunners continue to be linked with Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, but so far neither club has gone public.

In contrast, Arsenal’s Premier League title rivals Chelsea and Manchester City this week both spent big sums to bring in Pedro and Nicolas Otamendi from Barcelona and Valencia, respectively.

Wenger has yet to strengthen the Arsenal outfield, but did move for veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech earlier in the summer.