Wenger On Reported Interest In Demba Ba & David Villa

Despite the transfer window being closed, there is always transfer gossip doing the rounds in the papers and we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest news during the coming months. Today, Arsene Wenger on Demba Ba and Thierry Henry.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has responded to questions about reported interest in Demba Ba and David Villa as well as giving the latest on whether he’ll try and bring Thierry Henry back to the club for a third time.

The Mirror claims Arsenal are interested in signing Newcastle striker Demba Ba when the transfer window re-opens next week and we’re said to be considering meeting his £7.5m release clause. However, when quizzed about the reports today Wenger confirmed that while he’s a fan of the 27-year-old’s, he insists we’re not close to signing the Senegalese forward.

“I like Demba Ba, yes. I don’t think [this] is the right place to speak about that, because he plays against us tomorrow.

“I wouldn’t like to put Newcastle or us or him in an uncomfortable position. If you ask me: ‘Do we sign Demba Ba?’ I say no.” Wenger is quoted as saying by the Mirror.

Sky Sports News claim we’ve been linked with Barcelona striker David Villa and the boss was equally coy when asked about his interest in the Spanish hitman.

“Any interest we have in any players has to be kept secret at the moment. I cannot come out with any names.” Wenger is quoted as saying by Sky Sports

Legend Thierry Henry has been training at London Colney with the squad recently and Wenger was also asked about whether he’ll try and bring the 35-year-old back to the club for a third spell. The boss refused to rule out the possibility but insists he hasn’t spoken to Henry about it as yet. Arsene told Sky Sports:

“I’ve not lost interest in him. He’s still coming to practise with us.

“Our relationship is very close but, at the moment, I think he has had a second spell at the club that was very successful. You have to be cautious that it’s not one time too many.

“I have not completely ruled it out but I haven’t spoken about it with him at all.”

Henry’s second stint with Arsenal was a huge success, when he scored within 10 minutes of coming on against Leeds in the FA Cup last January, but I too have my reservations about him coming back for a third time.

While he’s arguably in better shape now than he was a year ago, with the Frenchman coming off the back of an excellent season in the MLS that saw him score 15 goals and provide 12 assists in 25 games, and i’d be happy to see him come back again but only if we also sign another striker on a permanent basis or at the very least on loan until the end of the season.

Read more Arsenal transfer news

There is little doubt we need more options up front but having Thierry back for 8 weeks isn’t the answer. We need a player to be with us until the end of the season. So if we do bring Henry back on loan, I only hope we also sign another striker as well and i’d love to see either Villa or Ba come to the Emirates next month.

It’s no surprise the boss gave little away about his reported interest in the pair. He always plays his cards close to his chest so we’ll just have to sit back and see what January brings. If anything!

Would you like Arsenal to sign Villa, Ba or Henry? Get involved in the comments section below.