Wenger denies Cole claims
20 Aug 2006 - 14:25:06
Arsene Wenger has denied that Arsenal have rejected an offer from Chelsea for Ashley Cole.
The England left-back is keen to move across London to join Chelsea, but the Premiership champions claim that a deal is unlikely because they are unwilling to match the Gunners' £25million asking price.
Wenger decided not to select Cole for Saturday's 1-1 draw against Aston Villa because of the uncertainty about his future and urged the Blues to bring the matter to a swift conclusion.
The Frenchman said: "We are ready. From our part there's no problem. Why don't you ask Chelsea what the problem is? I don't know.
"It is not true that we have turned any offer down.
"This situation is not a money situation. We have not turned down an offer. The problem is not between us and Chelsea."
Wenger added: "Chelsea have had June, July, August. Everybody says Chelsea are interested in buying Ashley Cole but they have had three months now to buy him.
"He doesn't need to ask for a transfer because we gave him permission to leave when he extended his contract at the end of last season.
"Now we are at the beginning of a new season and if nothing happens I believe he will stay.
"It was down to some frustration at some stage but I don't think he is deeply unhappy to play the kind of football we play, or to play with his partners or under me."