Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has questioned Juventus’ attempt to sign Robin Van Persie this summer, but praised their swoop for Niklas Bendtner.
The Old Lady had targeted the Dutchman and made the London club offers, but Manchester United won the race for the striker.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has questioned Juventus’ attempt to sign Robin Van Persie this summer, but praised their swoop for Niklas Bendtner.
The Old Lady had targeted the Dutchman and made the London club offers, but Manchester United won the race for the striker.
“Juventus can’t think about selling their players for €70m and then buying new ones for a tenth of that amount,” the Frenchman told the Corriere dello Sport.
“That would be too easy, but that is not possible in today’s football.
“Van Persie would have been a free agent in the summer of 2013, but we decided to sell after Manchester United made a great offer.”
United netted the player for a fee in the region of £23m, leaving Juventus – who spent around €50m this summer – with few options. They eventually got Bendtner on loan from Arsenal.
“He can do well in Italy,” Wenger continued. “He’s a top player for me, but he’s had his difficulties here. You can’t doubt the player’s value though.
“We believe in him and that is why we only gave him to Juventus on loan. I think he can resolve his problems with us and prove himself. We believe in him.”