Arsene Wenger Confirms Manchester United Target Thomas Vermaelen Likely to Leave Arsenal - But Wants More Signings

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed the club are likely to add more new faces before the transfer window closes but concedes defender Thomas Vermaelen is edging closer to a move away from the club.

For the second consecutive summer, Wenger has silenced his critics and brought one of La Liga's biggest talents to the Emirates. This time it's attacking midfielder Alexis Sanchez, who has signed a long-term deal with the north London club.

He was soon joined by goalkeeper David Ospina and defenders Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy, as the Gunners boss swiftly addressed positions where the club were in urgent need of reinforcements.

And with a holding midfielder and a striker still required, Wenger will continue to look to bolster his squad right up to the end of the transfer window.

"I'm very happy because I did what I wanted, and I am still open to do more," Wenger told a press conference. "Let's not forget that we are at the first of August today and the transfer window closes on the 31st. For years... I didn't sit with [the media] here on the first of August having done quite a lot [of business].

"We are a bit ahead of what we usually do, because the availability on the market was bigger and earlier than before.

"The bigger clubs have done their deals earlier and when one starts everybody follows, and that's why it was a bit quicker. Many clubs decided to do it before the World Cup, and since the World Cup was over, not a lot has happened. But I think the second half of August, the 15th to 30th, will be busy again."

The Gunners have been closely linked with moves for Real Madrid lynchpin Sami Khedira and Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin in recent weeks but another centre half may also become a priority.

Gunners skipper Vermaelen has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United as Louis van Gaal looks to add a left-footed centre half to his ranks and Wenger concedes the Belgian may have already played his last game for the club, with injury ruling him out of Saturday's match.

"At the moment, Thomas Vermaelen is here, he is injured at the moment for a short-term injury," he said. "It could happen, yes it's a possibility that he goes. If he goes, we have to replace him because he's an important player in our squad.

"I expect him to stay but he, of course, did not play enough games last year. For me, he's a very important player but I couldn't guarantee him the games he wanted last year."