Arsenal blow as Gokhan Inler rejects move

Arsene Wenger's hunt for midfield reinforcements continues after Udinese playmaker Gokhan Inler rejected the chance to join Arsenal.

Following the departures of Mathieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto Silva, Wenger's priority this summer has been to recruit a central midfielder.

Such was the lack of availability to the Frenchman last Saturday that he was forced to play Emmanuel Eboue in central midfield against Fulham, a game Arsenal lost 1-0.

Arsenal had hoped to agree an £8 million fee for the 24-year-old Switzerland international, but the player himself has put an end to speculation by declaring he wants to remain in Serie A.

The player’s agent, Dino Lambrini, said: "We have decided that Inler remains in Udinese.

“Any player would want to play for Arsenal of course, but for Inler this may be perhaps a little early. Maybe a season too early.”

Wenger's attention is now likely to concentrate on Xabi Alonso, although with Gareth Barry's proposed move to Liverpool seemingly dead in the water, prizing the Spaniard away from Anfield will be difficult.

However, Rafa Benitez needs funds to strengthen his squad, and could be tempted with a big-money offer in the region of £15m.

Alonso would certainly be willing to move to the Emirates, enabling him to team up with compatriot Cesc Fabregas in the Arsenal midfield, while Fabregas believes Alonso would be a superb addition to the squad.

He said: "What can I say? He is my friend and apart from that he is a great professional, a great passer of the ball, he works hard defensively, he's scoring goals now, he's experienced and he is only 26."