ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS: Wenger Speaks Up; Jagielka, Mata, Samba Still Targets?

Things continue to look bleak for Arsenal as the start of the Premier League season draws closer.

Anderlecht and Chelsea have reached a deal on highly regarded Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, taking one of the hottest names off the list for Arsenal, who have only added one major name, Gervinho, to their squad this summer.

After a season where Arsenal was expecting to challenge Manchester United for the title, the Gunners finished fourth -- an unacceptable result for a club with a rich history of winning in the Wenger era, and after a long drought without a trophy. In a summer transfer period that was expected to have several changes, there have barely been any.

Manager Arsene Wenger recently addressed the frustrating situation about delays in signings.

"We want to add not quality, but super quality," said Wenger. "We hope to give you some good news soon. Next week, something might happen."

"Ideally, I would have finished all [our business] but it doesn't work like that," Wenger said to Arsenal Player.

Things aren't looking good for skipper Cesc Fabregas to be active for the Newcastle match next weekend. Aside from being the subject of endless chatter about a move to Barcelona, Fabregas's hamstring injury has kept him away from the pitch in friendlies.

"I don't think Fabregas will be ready to start the season because he has been out for a long time and has had no games," Wenger said.

Still the transfer period is what Gunner fans care about, because changes need to be made.

According to the Guardian, Nicklas Bendtner and Emmanuel Eboué are expected to leave the club before the end of August. Eboue may be headed to Galatasaray for raise £4 million, and Bendtner has been the target of Stoke, who are set to make a club record £9 million bid.

The combined £13 million will likely go to a centre back. Of the four that have been rumoured to join Arsenal (Phil Jagielka, Christopher Samba, Gary Cahill, and Scott Dann), only Jagielka has received an offer, which was rejected by Everton.

Everton is likely to want at least £15 million, and Bolton would probably want the same for Cahill. Samba would cost about £12 million, while Dann is expected to be valued at roughly £10 million. Tottenham have recently inquired about Samba for £10 million, according to the Sun.

Centre backs aside, Arsenal could still use a player to bolster their attack. Though a forward is needed, the possible loss of Fabregas or Nasri, or both, might mean returning to negotiations with Juan Mata and Eden Hazard. The Gunners, with all of their pressing needs, could use either young winger as a way to add creativity to their attacking midfield.

Arsenal were apparently on the verge of signing Mata in a £19 million deal, but it fell through last week, despite the Valencia star's apparent enthusiasm about joining the Gunners. Valencia simply rejected the offer, and there has yet to be any news about Arsenal making a second bid.

As for Hazard, Arsenal has been the only club to make a serious attempt to lure the Lille star. There haven't been many reports about Hazard's valuation, but the suggested fee is probably close to £20 million.

Metro reported last week that chairman Peter Hill-Wood confirmed that deals were in the works to add "a few" new players with Jagielka, Mata, Samba believed to be the main priorities.

That remains encouraging news for Arsenal, but there has been far more talk about what Arsenal is going to do, and yet little has actually been done.

The clock is ticking at Emirates.