Arsenal's Black Friday: Arsene Wenger reveals January search for bargain signing has begun

Arsene Wenger says Mesut Ozil was a bargain for £40million

ARSENE WENGER says he’s always on the lookout for a bargain as Black Friday threatens to grip the UK once again.

 

The Arsenal boss is known to be conservative with his spending in the transfer market, preferring to snap up a cheap deal than pay the true asking price.

But he broke that reputation somewhat when Mesut Ozil was signed two summers ago for over £42.5million.

But Wenger insists his fee was just as good as Patrick Vieira’s, who cost the Gunners £2.5m when he joined from Milan back in 1996.

 

“I love a bargain, who doesn’t!” Wenger joked when asked about Black Friday, when retailers slash their prices on select products.

“There are not many people who don’t like a bargain.

“What is for us a bargain is to buy a player of top quality because only top quality strengthens our squad.

 

“I bought Patrick Vieira for example for £2.5m. He was a top bargain because he was a top quality player.

“We spent nearly £40m on Ozil and I still consider him a bargain because the player is top quality. What has to be a priority is the quality of the player.”

 

Patrick Vieira is one of Arsene Wenger's greatest bargain buys

Wenger also revealed that he is seeking new players in January - but only if they fit his valuation.

“We are in a position where we want to do something,” he conceded. “If I find the right quality I will do something.”