Wenger turns attention to defence

Arsene Wenger is likely to look to bolster his defensive options, after Arsenal swooped for Croatian hitman Eduardo da Silva.

The signing of the Brazilian-born striker is Wenger’s first move in the transfer market since the sale of captain Thierry Henry to Barcelona.

The exact terms of the four-year deal for da Silva – which is subject to a routine medical – have not been disclosed by Arsenal.

However, with some £24m having been brought in following the sale of both Henry and fringe striker Jeremie Aliadiere, a substantial amount has clearly been spent on securing the services of the prolific forward from Dinamo Zagreb.

Reports, though, from Zagreb that the deal was worth around £16.2m – the fee paid by Barcelona for Henry – are somewhat exaggerated. PA Sport understands the package to be more in the region of half that amount.

Even so, that still gives Wenger plenty of room for manoeuvre as he seeks to further strengthen his squad.

Having already brought in Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, the Arsenal boss is determined to add some more quality.

Wenger, who has been recharging his batteries at an Italian health resort before the pre-season schedule, is now expected to step up his interest in Auxerre full-back Bakary Sagna.

The 24-year-old is likely to cost around £6m and is keen on a move to Arsenal.

There has, meanwhile, not yet been any official announcement on the role of director of football.

It now seems likely former player Gilles Grimandi will be offered the post, which was created following the shock departure of vice-chairman David Dein in April.

While da Silva is certainly not intended to be a like-for-like replacement, he certainly brings with him a rich pedigree.

The 24-year-old was born in Brazil – but having moved to Europe at the age of 15, he took Croatian nationality in 2002.

It was Da Silva who scored the first competitive goal at Emirates Stadium when the Gunners beat Dinamo during last season’s Champions League third qualifying round in late August, and he was also on target for Croatia during the 2-0 European Championship qualifying victory over England in Zagreb last October.

Da Silva was by far Zagreb’s most dangerous player when they came to Emirates Stadium at the start of the last campaign, and fired the visitors into an early lead before the Gunners secured safe passage into the group stages with a 5-1 aggregate win.

Having finished the Croatian season as top scorer with a record 34 goals, just how quickly da Silva settles into the hustle-and-bustle of the Barclays Premier League will be key to Arsenal’s chances of mounting a serious title challenge - which had already been written off by Chelsea striker Didier Drogba following Henry’s departure.