Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has ruled out a move for Newcastle midfielder Cheik Tiote, but has reiterated he is keen to strengthen his squad before Friday’s transfer deadline.
The Frenchman admitted last week he was keen to add a new midfielder and defender to his squad after losing Alex Song to Barcelona and being forced to contend with injuries to Bakary Sagna and Laurent Koscielny.
Wenger had been keen on Real Madrid’s Nuri Sahin, but the the 23-year-old midfield he opted to join Liverpool on a season-loan instead.
That led to reports over the weekend that he would turn his attentions to Ivorian midfield enforcer Tiote, who has been a revelation since joining Newcastle from Dutch side Twente in 2010.
However, Wenger has distanced himself from a move for the 26-year-old. “[Chiekh] Tiote is a good player, but he is not on his way to Arsenal,” the Gunners boss told the club’s official website.
Wenger remains in the market, though, as he looks to add to new recruits Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, but insists they must be of the “right quality” for his side.
“I’m pleased with what we’ve done but I anticipate we will do something and we are still on the market,” said Wenger after his side’s 0-0 draw at Stoke City on Sunday.
Defensive midfielder? It depends on the quality of players who are available. If we can find somebody who can strengthen our squad with the quality we want we will do it.”
Tiote’s Newcastle team-mate Yohan Cabaye is udnerstood to be one of those on Wenger’s radar as is Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila, who has also attracted interest from Tottenham and Manchester City, and Toulouse defender Cheikh M’Bengue.
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