Gunners target Viera move

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed his interest in bringing Uruguayan goalkeeper Sebastien Viera to Highbury.

The 22-year-old is already a full international and highly thought of by Wenger.

The Gunners have Germany’s Jens Lehmann and Spaniard Manuel Almunia on their playing staff, but both came in for criticism last season.

Charlton’s Dean Kiely was linked to the club recently, but rather than pursue the 34-year-old former Republic of Ireland international, it would appear that Wenger is turning his focus towards Viera.

“Viera is one of the options,” he said in the Daily Mirror. “It is true we are interested in him but the deal is far from done.”

Arsenal have played down suggestions they might bid for Michael Owen, who appears surplus to requirements at Real Madrid, but Wenger was keen to play up the club’s financial strength this summer.

Wenger believes the Highbury board will back him in the transfer market, should he identify specific targets.

“The budget is higher than last season. The financial situation at the club is better than I expected it to be this time last year,” added the Frenchman.

“If we find a player we want then we will go for him, but I am happy with the young players we have.”