Saint Etienne Must Drop Blaise Matuidi's Price If Arsenal Are To Bid - Report

Thomas Vermaelen may be Arsenal's sole purchase during the current transfer window as Saint Etienne's valuation of star midfielder Blaise Matuidi differs from Arsene Wenger's, and the Gunners' boss is not prepared to pay £8 million for the player he deems to be a new version of the talismanic Patrick Vieira.

Arsenal typically leave their transfer dealings late in the window, and now that Champions League football has been secured, and the Manchester United game is a thing of the past, there are few distractions for Wenger in his search for reinforcements.

The club, however, attempted to bring in late deals last summer, notably for Gokhan Inler and Xabi Alonso, but again, differing valuations proved to be the stumbling point for any subsequent switch.

Wenger has overseen a formation re-jig during the summer, and a pressing 4-3-3 system now seems to be the preferred tactic for the north Londoners. However, an extra body to provide competition for Cameroon international Alex Song is believed to be desirable, according to the Sunday Mirror.

Arsene Wenger has also been linked with a move for Vieira.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com