Arsene Wenger maintains he has money to spend, but must weigh up the cost of "killing" the chances of Arsenal's talented youngsters by bringing in a big name transfer.

Long-serving midfielder Gilberto Silva has joined Greek side Panathinaikos to follow unsettled winger Alexander Hleb and the combative Mathieu Flamini out of the Emirates Stadium.

As a result, the Gunners may now up their interest in Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry, who is rated at £18million and has been a target for Liverpool.

However, Wenger insists it is not just a matter of opening the cheque book and that there were other concerns he had to consider other than simply looking for a quick fix.

Wenger told Arsenal TV OnLine: "Of course I am in a position where I can spend the money. But every time we have done such a great job with the young players that you are concerned `do we kill a young player or not by bringing another player in?'

"It is a very sensitive subject which is not specially linked with money."