Arsene Wenger keen on signing Barcelona striker David Villa

Arsenal will attempt to land Barcelona ace David Villa on the cheap — at the end of the transfer window.

Boss Arsene Wenger is ready to make a £10million move even though the Spanish giants insist he is not for sale.

But Villa, 31, is keen on a switch to the Emirates and is ready to force his way out.


Yet Wenger, as always, is likely to leave his move until the last 48 hours of the window.

The Gunners will not pay £15m for a player of Villa’s age but they are desperate to land a striker and would pay £10m.

Arsenal face West Ham tonight and Wenger admits he is interested in their 25-year-old midfielder Mohamed Diame.

Wenger is tracking the former Wigan star, who has a £7m release clause.

The Frenchman said: “He has a great presence in the games.

“I’ve seen him in games where he’s had a big impact, for example against Chelsea where he had a big impact when he came on.”