Wenger cools Ribery rumours
08 Aug 2006 - 09:47:31
Arsene Wenger has played down speculation linking World Cup star Franck Ribery with a £13.5million transfer to Arsenal.
The France winger is expected to leave Marseille before the summer transfer window closes, with Arsenal reported to be his preferred destination.
However, Wenger said: "There are plenty of players in the world who want to join us.
"If you look at the flanks we have [Tomas] Rosicky, who is not an average player, [Aleksandr] Hleb, [Jose Antonio] Reyes, [Theo] Walcott, also Ljungberg - where do I put a player like Ribery?"
The Arsenal boss also revealed he is not concerned about stories in the Spanish press suggesting Reyes wants to join Real Madrid, despite the reports containing quotes attributed to the player.
Wenger told the club's official website: "It does not come from him. It comes out from Spain. What can I do to stop that?
"I have read everything on one side, and also the opposite as well.
"But [the Spanish media] have announced me having signed at Real Madrid before and since that I have at least one concrete experience that [shows] you cannot trust them.
"I extended Jose's contract last year, so that is quite clear about how I regard his future at Arsenal Football Club."