Benayoun, who has been deemed surplus to requirements by Andre Villas-Boas, the new Chelsea manager, said yesterday that he was "negotiating with several teams" and would have "news soon".

The Israeli playmaker has drawn interest from former club Liverpool - who are looking at other experienced options in attack, including Craig Bellamy - and French champions Lille, whom he is understood to be most likely to join.

Wenger is also contemplating an offer for Alex, the Brazilian central defender, who is known to be open to a move away from Stamford Bridge if it secured him regular first-team football. Arsenal's thinking with Alex is to add an aerially strong individual capable of bolstering their defence at venues such as Stoke and Blackburn.

While Gary Cahill remains one of four candidates for that role, Arsenal remain unimpressed with Bolton Wanderers' description of their initial bid for the England international as "derisory".

Contrary to initial reports, that offer was for an initial £8 million (Dh48m) with another £1m payable once Cahill had played 50 games. Further performance-related payments could have taken Bolton's income above £11m for a player who has one year remaining on his current contract, albeit with an option for a further season.

At left back, Wenger has decided against a formal approach for Everton's consistently impressive Leighton Baines, deciding to offer Kieran Gibbs the opportunity to establish himself in the position once the 21 year old recovers from injury. With Armand Traore permitted to undergo a medical at Queens Park Rangers yesterday, Arsenal were working to complete the signing of an overseas-based defender. There were also details to complete on the £3m purchase of South Korea striker Park Chu-young from AS Monaco.

Considered by many as the most impressive talent in German football, Mario Goetze has been the subject of a recent offer only for Borussia Dortmund to respond by asking €35m for the 19 year old.

Goetze is understood to be happy to stay with the Bundesilga champions for one additional season before moving to Spain or England next summer. Wenger has failed to pursue his initial inquiry for Mikel Arteta, a decision that has frustrated the Everton midfielder.