Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Tuesday the Gunners won’t get involved in the race to pick up bargain buys at scandal-hit Juventus because they can’t afford it.
The Italian giants were relegated to Serie B and were penalised 30 points for their part in the country’s match-fixing scandal that saw Lazio and Fiorentina also demoted.
A host of big names are expected to leave Juventus, who were also stripped of their last two titles and banned from the Champions League.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United have already been linked with the likes of Italy’s World Cup winning skipper Fabio Cannavaro and former Gunners star Patrick Vieira.
But Wenger won’t be reaching for the cheque book.
”This situation is disturbing the market because you have a flow of players coming out,” Wenger told the club’s official website, www.arsenal.com.
”But don’t forget that the players of Juventus are very well paid and not many clubs in the world can afford to pay these kinds of wages.
”We can not afford to do it. That is why we are not disturbed by the Juventus case.”
Meanwhile, Wenger confirmed he is looking closer to home for reinforcements as he attempts to sign a replacement for the injured Philippe Senderos.
Senderos is out for three months with a dislocated shoulder suffered playing for Switzerland at the World Cup and Wenger admits West Brom defender Curtis Davies is a possible target, although not at the £12-million price tag being quoted.
”We have lost Senderos for the next three months. Johan Djourou and Gael Clichy have had injuries as well,” he said.
”If we find a player who can play centre-back and left back then we are still open for transfers.
”Curtis Davies I like. I have not made an enquiry or a bid but I like the player. I will not be making a bid as high as £10-million or £12-million.” — AFP
