Edu future is 'in his hands'
Arsene Wenger insists Edu’s Arsenal future is in his own hands.
The Brazilian midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and has so far refused to sign a new deal with the Gunners.
But Wenger, who has Patrick Vieira, Gilberto, Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini competing for central midfield berths as well as Edu, is prepared to play a patient waiting game.
“At the moment, he will not sign for us,” said the Frenchman. “The situation is in his hands so he will decide what he wants to do.
“With Mathieu Flamini coming on well, with Gilberto coming back, and with Cesc Fabregas and Patrick Vieira, we have four or five central midfielders. If Edu stays, what do we do with all those players?”
Wenger will only be tempted to bolster his squad if Edu decides to sign a pre-agreement with an overseas club.
“I will look through the [transfer] window and see who else is buying but I’m not a great fan as it’s an inflated market most of the time with rushed buys,” said Wenger.
“For some teams in a difficult situation it’s already too late as, once you are down there, it’s very difficult.
“So most of the time you rush your buys. You overpay as there is only a limited period to buy and the seller waits until the last two or three days.”
Wenger made a similar declaration just 12 months ago, only to be tempted into signing Jose Antonio Reyes for what could eventually amount to a club record fee.
However, he stressed: “We didn’t overpay for Reyes because we were not desperate to buy as we were top of the league.”
Wenger is not categorically ruling out a similar late move for a special bargain, although he insists there is no need for him to act to bolster his club’s title chances.
A new goalkeeper, as well as an experienced centre-back and some further support for the strikers would not go astray at Highbury.
However, Wenger maintained: “If something exceptional comes up, you never say no but we are not in a situation where we need to buy a striker, midfielder or centre-back.”
Edu, along with Campbell, Lauren, Jermaine Pennant and Dennis Bergkamp, is out of contract at the end of this season.
And while Bergkamp’s position will not be considered until April or May, any other talks will be delayed until after the festive period.
“It’s an intense period on the pitch but a flat period off the pitch. The agents are away over Christmas and some directors too, so it’s difficult,” said Wenger.
“These situations will be sorted out in January, not in this period. Of course, we are concerned. That’s why we want to keep them here.
“But Sol will stay. We are at a very advanced stage and in a very positive situation.”
Edu is still out injured, having returned to training but not yet being ready for full contact work, and he misses the Boxing Day clash against Fulham along with fellow absentees Gilberto, Pascal Cygan and Reyes, while Ashley Cole is banned. However, Freddie Ljungberg may return.
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