Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Won't Make Desired Splash Before Window Closes

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has made it known his squad will be active during the transfer window in August, according to Sky Sports. However, as the dog days of summer wear on, it's becoming increasingly clear the Gunners won't make the big splash they desire.

If Arsenal does walk away with less than what they wanted or nothing at all, it won't be due to a lack of effort.

According to Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph, the Gunners have made bids for several players in the hopes of improving their roster. Players like Gonzalo Higuain, Lars Bender, Luis Suarez and Luiz Gustavo have all been targeted, but none of those options have worked out.

In fact, the only success Arsenal have had was with Yaya Sanogo, who came via a free transfer from Auxerre. After that move, according to Wilson's report, Arsenal's available funds to make moves stands still at £70 million.

Also in his report, Wilson points out that well-respected blogger and football finance guru Swiss Ramble estimates that the Gunners had a total balance of £154 million, which falls just short of the rest of the Premier League clubs combined:

"

An analysis this week by the blogger ‘Swiss Ramble’, whose grasp of football finances is admired within boardrooms across Europe, estimated that Arsenal had an available cash balance of £154 million. To put that in some context, the combined cash balance of the other 19 Premier League clubs was put at £181 million.

"

That estimation is especially alarming for Arsenal. It appears that their goal to land a big star during the transfer period isn't a result of no money to work with and when money can't buy any players during August, that's a huge problem.

The latest target of Arsenal has the club shooting for the stars as they are currently pursuing English star and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, per John Cross of the Daily Mirror.

While that's a nice idea for Arsenal, with the striker certain to improve the squad, landing Rooney isn't likely at this point. If the Gunners need confirmation on such a thought, just ask Chelsea, whose two bids for the striker have fallen flat with Manchester United.

And, as long as the window is open, Rooney will be highly contested as Chelsea is preparing a third bid of £28 million plus add-ons, as reported by Tony Banks and Paul Joyce of the Express.

All the competition for Rooney may prove to be a moot point in the end, as United boss David Moyes has stated on a few occasions that Rooney is not for sale, according to the Daily Mail's Chris Wheeler. That's not surprising considering United are poised to once again compete for a Premier League crown and don't want to anger their fans in the process.

Arsenal have made a valiant effort to bring in some big names to make an impact this season, but time is running short, and with many failed attempts at achieving their goal, the Gunners look like they won't add the big-name player they so desperately crave.