Inler snubs the Gunners

Arsene Wenger has been snubbed by midfield target Gokhan Inler.

According to the Telegraph, Arsenal had hoped to agree an £8 million fee for the 24-year old Swiss international, but the player himself has put an end to speculation by declaring he wants to remain in Serie A.

The player’s agent, Dino Lambrini, reportedly said, “We have decided that Inler remains in Udinese.”

“Any player would want to play for Arsenal of course, but for Inler this may be perhaps a little early. Maybe a season too early.”

Wenger is now likely to focus his energy on Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso but with Gareth Barry’s proposed move to Anfield seemingly dead,  securing the Spaniard may prove too difficult.

Following the departures of Mathieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto Silva, Wenger’s priority this summer has been to recruit a central midfielder.

Such was the lack of availability to the Frenchman last Saturday that he was forced to play Emmanuel Eboue in central midfield against Fulham, a game Arsenal lost 1-0.

[Source: The Telegraph]