Wenger eyeing Barry after Liverpool reject his £10m bid for Alonso

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Alonso had agreed personal terms on a move, but Wenger pulled out after said Arsenal's £10million offer was not enough.

Barry, also a long-term Liverpool target, has already played for Villa in the UEFA Cup and is ineligible for the Champions League until February.

But Wenger will decide whether or not to move for the midfielder after the draw for the group stage next week.

In demand: Barry has also been courted by Liverpool, but could complete a move to the Emirates

The Arsenal manager said: 'There is interest in Gareth Barry, but I cannot say much more. Once someone plays in Europe it devalues a player for the season, but it doesn't necessarily mean you don't buy him.

'Barry is a good player, but the problem with players who are 27 or 28 is that you pay big money and then you get nothing back.'

Wenger made the surprise signing of Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre this week, but the Arsenal chief claims he has always wanted to sign him.

Silvestre, 31, has signed a two-year contract and is expected to be in the squad for tomorrow's Barclays Premier League trip to Fulham.

Wenger added: 'Sometimes you need a player in the squad with the qualities you think will help.

'Silvestre can play left-back and centre-back. It's an area where we had no experience.

He has a great attitude and we're a bit light on experience in the dressing-room.

'He is 31, but top-class central defenders can play until they are 34, no problem.'