Arsene Wenger claims that despite there being plenty of money in the market this summer, there’s not much in the way of choice when it comes to buying players.

The Arsenal manager has yet to spend any cash at all this summer, with the Gunners sole arrival the free transfer of Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre. As well as that, Wenger has dispensed with Francis Coquelin, Johan Djourou and Vito Mannone, as well as seeing Arshavin and Squillaci leave due to contract expiry.

But it seems he’s no closer to opening his wallet despite declaring an interest in Wayne Rooney. Speaking about the “angry and confused” United striker and the possibility of him leaving Old Trafford, Wenger said, “It happened to us [Dutch Skunk], it can happen to them.

“We have not the problem of the wages of Wayne Rooney, but it’s very difficult for us to talk about a specific case. We work hard but we are not close to signing anybody.

“The competition in Europe is very hard at the moment. There’s a lot of money and not many players.”

While it’s true that there are a limited number of top quality purchases out there, it’s hard to reconcile Wenger’s words with the fact that Gonzalo Higuain wants out of Real Madrid and according to all available info, would be keen on a move to North London.

With Rooney’s most likely destination the bus stop in Fulham, it’s hard to understand why we don’t let the others fight over the fat boy and bring in the rather good Argentinian.

The new season starts in exactly one month, and in June Ivan Gazidis spoke about doing the transfer business as efficiently as possible.

“We will strive to get our business done early,” he said. “Last year we looked at what was done two seasons ago, which is certainly not something we would ever choose to go through again.”

One month to go.

One month. Still plenty of time, but the worrying line about not being close to signing anyone is an unwelcome blast from transfer windows past.

Wenger also revealed that there is a clause allowing Arsenal first refusal on former skipper, Cesc Fabregas, but that the midfielder is likely to stay in Spain for another season.

“Fabregas has decided to stay 1 more year at Barcelona. Unless he has changed his mind. I don’t know. But that’s what I have been told. We have the clause in his contract so we would be on alert but at the moment that’s not something we are after.