Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed any pursuit of Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips depends on whether Chelsea make a formal offer.
The Blues, owned by billionaire Russian Roman Abramovich, are reportedly set to bid about £20m for the 23-year-old.
Wenger said: "I like him but we are in a market where you let Chelsea make decisions and then come in after.
"There is a price for Chelsea and a price for everybody else and that is why we have to wait until they decide."
Wenger is a long-term admirer of Wright-Phillips but knows that the Gunners cannot compete with Chelsea's financial muscle.
The Arsenal boss also said that his team must concentrate on regaining the title and should not worry about who Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is trying to buy.
"I'm not relieved Steven Gerrard didn't go to Chelsea this week, I feel we have to cope with that and not feel we are behind, just fight with that," added Wenger.
"No matter who everybody else buys, no matter who Chelsea buy and who goes there, it is down to us to come back strong and fight for the championship."
Mourinho returned from holiday last week and was reportedly keen to complete a deal for Wright-Phillips quickly after missing out on Gerrard.
But City are still waiting for a firm bid from the Premiership champions and are expected to hold out for £22m for the England international.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have so far only bought one player this summer - Belarus midfielder Alexsander Hleb from Stuttgart - and Wenger thinks that the market will soon gain momentum.
"The transfer market has been much quieter than expected and it looks like it has not really started, with no activity in the lower clubs and very little with the clubs that are supposed to have money.
"At the moment, it looks like everybody is in the starting blocks and, with the heat of my phone, it looks like it will start soon."