Wenger defends Cahill bid

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could be set for a war of words with Bolton chairman Phil Gartside regarding a bid for defender Gary Cahill.

It was confirmed the Gunners had bid for the England international and the fee involved was reported to be six million pounds – an offer that Bolton boss Owen Coyle described as being so low that ‘derisory doesn’t even cover it’.

However, Wenger reacted bluntly to these reports, stating that the rumoured fee was wrong, before confirming the two sides were in negotiations.

Speaking to reporters, Wenger said: “That number is wrong, it is completely wrong. I believe every negotiation is between two parties and you only have to sell the player if you are alright with the price.”

“In this case the information is below what has been spoken about.”

Gartside reacted angrily to the supposed six million-pound bid by re-tweeting a fan’s anger on twitter, while Coyle understood the bid to be far below what they were looking for.

But Wenger could not understand the anger shown by Bolton, pointing out that if they do not wish to sell their player then they do not have to.

“If Gartside can say I am lying I am ready to confront him. The truth is that we never speak about our negotiations,” the Frenchman said.

“If a club doesn’t want to sell a player it can keep him. When we sign a player we come out here and tell you and keep the price a secret.”

“They do not need to sell the player, they can keep him. If you ask do I want to buy your house and you are not happy with the price you say no, that’s it.”

“Why should you feel insulted? I don’t understand. If the player is not for sale they can keep him. I don’t understand the problem.”