• Premier League

Wenger 'winning battle' for Gallas' signature

Soccernet staff
March 25, 2010
William Gallas has been a commanding presence at the back for Arsenal this season © Getty Images
Enlarge

Arsene Wenger feels Arsenal are "winning the battle" to secure William Gallas' signature for next season.

The French defender, whose contract expires in the summer, is now free to negotiate a new deal with other clubs.

Although the Gunners are desperate to keep the player, Wenger insists that contract talks will have to wait until he has recuperated from injury.

"In the next two or three weeks we will not deal with any contract because we have games every three days and we will focus on our targets," Wenger said.

"I feel we are winning the battle to keep him, but in this domain you have to be open and be ready for anything. He is in a position where he is free to sign for anybody he wants.

"Tomorrow somebody could come up and offer him a massive amount of money and I don't know if he will sign or not. William knows we want to keep him and that we make an effort - but it has to be, as it always has been historically, within our set budget."

Gallas is not far away from a return to the Arsenal first team as they bid for the Premier League and Champions League titles. "He is back today from his rehabilitation and will be back in full training over the next couple of days," Wenger said. "But he is too short to be available for the weekend of course and certainly as well for Barcelona game on Wednesday."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices