Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes if Real Madrid were to pay £105 million to sign Gareth Bale from Tottenham it would make a “joke” of Financial Fair Play.
Spurs have no intention of selling their star man but the Spanish giants are said to be ready to test that resolve with what would be a world-record fee.
Wenger feels such figures would go completely against the new UEFA-driven regulations aimed at making sure all clubs balance the books.
“It makes a joke of it. It’s quite amazing that in the year where the Financial Fair Play comes in, the football world has gone completely crazy,” said the Arsenal manager, who has yet to make a marquee summer signing despite having significant funds available.
“You wonder what kind of impact and effect it has on the football world. It looks like it has made everybody worse than before.”
Despite the fierce rivalry between the two north London clubs, Wenger would not like to see Bale – whose stellar performances earned him the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year accolades last season – leave the Barclays Premier League.
“It is never good to lose a big player,” the Gunners boss added.
“He is a British player and I believe it is important that the Premier League keeps the best players.”
Suarez pursuit
Meanwhile, Wenger has confirmed Arsenal are still keen to sign Luis Suarez but insisted negotiations with Liverpool would remain “amicable”.
A move for Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid never materialised as the Argentinian striker eventually signed for Napoli, whom Arsenal will play this afternoon.
While the Gunners’ pursuit of wantaway striker Suarez looked to have stalled following a second improved bid of £40 million plus £1, which had been intended to trigger a clause that would allow them to discuss terms with the Uruguayan.
Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre yesterday insisted the Anfield club had no intentions of selling their key man, who joined up with Brendan Rodgers’ squad on the tour of Australia.
Wenger, though, indicated Arsenal remained hopeful of eventually negotiating a deal before the end of the summer transfer window.
“I don’t want to speak about Suarez, because that is between Liverpool and Arsenal. We will completely respect what Liverpool wants to do. We want to (sign the player) if it is feasible in an amicable way,” Wenger said.
“I am a great believer you have to keep as much confidentiality as possible, which is quite difficult in the modern world.
“But we work very hard, not only on the case you name, but on other different cases.”