Arsene Wenger has insisted that Arsenal would be able to keep up with the likes of Chelsea in the transfer window after confirming he would be willing to pay Wayne Rooney’s hefty pay role.
Chelsea recently had a £20million straight cash bid for Rooney turned down by United, contrary to popular belief that either David Luiz or Juan Mata were offered in exchange – a rumour that Joe Mourinho quashed himself.
Big Spender
Over the years, Wenger’s frugality has cost him names such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Yaya Toure and Xabi Alonso. But this year the flag of intent has been firmly stuck into the grass at the Emirates, with Arsenal being linked to a number of big name stars.
Rooney is the next name on that list, and Wenger insisted while talking to Guardian journalists that Rooney’s astronomical pay packet would be no problem:
"We have not the problem of the wages of Wayne Rooney but it's very difficult for us to talk about any specific case. We work well but we are not close to sign anybody. The competition in Europe is very hard at the moment. There's a lot of money and not many players."
Mourinho confirmed that Rooney was Chelsea’s only remaining target after completing the signings of Andrea Schurrle and Marko van Ginkel, but Wenger will look to add to the signing of Yaya Sanogo by bringing in one of either Rooney, Higuain or Suarez.
United boss David Moyes has insisted that Rooney is not for sale, but big money deals for the wantaway striker could test the new boss’ resolve.
The Higuain move which looked a certainty is now stalling, with Wenger waiting to see whether a fresh £35million bid for Liverpool’s Luis Suarez would gain the Uruguayan’s services. With £40-£50million looking more likely, the Arsenal boss will more than likely have to choose between the two rather than split the funds.
Suitors
As we explained yesterday, Rooney would be most suited in the Arsenal side rather than having to battle for a squad place at Stamford Bridge.
If Rooney wants to sit on the bench, he might as well stay at United behind Robin van Persie. However if Rooney wants to be the main man in front of goal, Arsenal should be his preferred destination.
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Comments
Wenger has actually said very little. He has confirmed they have money to spend and are looking at players that can improve the team.
Most of this is stirred up by the press - especially in England and Spain. They report rumour as fact. The recent rumour over Bernard is a case in point. Until the press start exhibiting a little journalistic rigor and fact checking, we live and die off bogus reporting that turn an off the cuff remark or tweet into a screaming 92 point headline.
We need to chill and let these people do their jobs.
Arsenal is a good team. It has good chemistry and team spirit and a great coach and manager. Can it be improved? Yes! Any team can be. But not at any cost. You have to purchase players that fit your team philosophy, can play the role you need filled and don't disrupt whatever good things you already have going on.
Am I tired and frustrated with key players leaving? Yes. Have we managed to bring in decent players with good character who want to play for Arsenal? Yes. Would I like a marquee signing to drool over? YES!!
I have to trust that people who are paid millions to manage these clubs have more common sense and understanding of how to put together a winning team than I do.
This transfer market is of interest to us because we have a pot of money to spend. It doesn't mean we have to spend all of it or spend it foolishly. Managers have a responsibility and accountability to deliver a team that can compete and not sink the team financially. Can we compete for good tier 2 players? Yes. Tier 1 players like Falcao and Cavani? No. Not while billionaires are prepared to compete with one another to win trophies.
So what's the best we can hope for, realistically? A couple of decent players that can propel us forward. Lots of things happen over the course of a season. We need enough depth to compete in the competitions that make sense. Those appear to be the Champions League and for the title of the EPL.
So. Tighten up the defense. Get a solid mid-field that can control a match in the Arsenal style and try and nab a forward to complement what we have. Try not to disrupt the team by bringing someone in who'll unbalance a good team spirit and chemistry. I think that's what's likely to happen.