Wenger still planning to sign defender

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger revealed he has not yet given up hope of signing Ajax defender Hatem Trabelsi before the transfer window closes.

Wenger disclosed he could make one further signing before the end of the month, with back-up to right-back Lauren being at the top of his agenda.

Tunisian international Trabelsi has just one year left on his contract at Ajax and a deal looked to be on the cards earlier this summer.

However, it subsequently fell apart, reportedly over fitness concerns amid talks over personal terms.

Wenger has nevertheless now indicated it could potentially be revived, presumably under new terms such as a pay-as-you-play contract.

“It is still possible to resurrect that deal,” he revealed, while confirming Arsenal would make a “maximum of one” new signing before the transfer window closes.

Wenger added: “It could be on the defensive side. We have only Lauren at the moment who has experience [at right-back].

Wenger revealed although the club have been watching Valencia midfielder Miguel Angulo, there is “nothing concrete” about their interest as yet.

And although they have evidently also considered River Plate midfielder Javier Mascherano, captain Patrick Vieira’s decision to stay at Highbury looks likely to have ended that potential purchase.

Wenger is also not exactly enamoured with the prospect of signing too many South American players at the moment, having just fallen out with the Brazilian Football Federation.

The Gunners manager had given Edu a three-week holiday, causing him to miss the start of the Premiership season, to recover from the effects of his involvement in the summer Copa America tournament with Brazil.

However, even though the midfielder was not due back at Highbury to begin pre-season training until August 17, Brazil still required him to join up for international duty in a friendly in Haiti.

The South American side then started with Edu in the game, while Gilberto Silva also played the second half despite Wenger’s worries over his fitness.

The Frenchman declared: “It’s just unbelievable. I tried to protect Edu. He had a break and we haven’t seen him since May, when he went to play for Brazil in the Copa America.

“But then Brazil selected him after just one day’s training. It is unprofessional. I will make a formal protest because it is just unacceptable.”