Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hit out at Real Madrid for expressing an interest in French star Thierry Henry.
Real coach Carlos Queiroz hinted that Henry and Manchester United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy were his summer targets with Henry the one he would like most.
But Wenger said: ”If I want a player from Real Madrid, I would call Real Madrid first — I would not come out in the newspapers first.
”It is unfair to his own players, it is unfair to Arsenal and you would expect a bit more class.”
Real president Florentino Perez has already said he wants to sign another superstar, sparking speculation about who will arrive at the Bernabeu.
Van Nistelrooy has pledged his future to Manchester United by signing a new, four-year deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2008.
Henry also made it clear he has no desire to leave Arsenal. He signed a new deal in May keeping him at Highbury until 2007 and last December Arsenal rejected a £40-million bid from Chelsea for their striker.
Arsenal vice-chairperson David Dein said Henry was not for sale at any price. — Sapa-AFP