Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that top-class centre-backs are hard to come by as he continues his search for defensive reinforcements.
The Gunners find themselves short at the back at the start of the new Premier League season, with long-term injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista, in addition to Laurent Koscielny's extended break after Euro 2016, leaving Calum Chambers and Rob Holding as their only recognised centre-backs.
Wenger has repeatedly outlined his intention to sign another defender before the August 31 deadline, and revealed that there is no age limit to his search.
"We have no limit in age. If it is a guy of 32 and we think he has the quality then we will do it. If Mertesacker and Gabriel had not been injured in pre-season, we would have been less under pressure to sign a defender," he told reporters.
"But once you are under pressure, everybody knows you are so it makes you weaker. We have been in the market a long time but if you look around in Europe, all my friends I call are all looking for centre-backs but they cannot find them.
"That is why we also buy young centre-backs to develop, because when you have one or two of the quality to make it to the top it is fantastic because it is a position that is difficult to find, especially at the big clubs."
Arsenal have been linked with moves for Shkodran Mustafi and Jose Fonte in recent weeks.
Barney Corkhill
