Wenger can't afford Juventus swoop

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will not be joining the scramble to sign players from stricken Juventus.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will not be joining the scramble to sign players from stricken Juventus.

Juve are expected to part company with their household names after being relegated to Serie B and docked 30 points as punishment for their involvement in the Italian match-fixing scandal.

The likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United are circling over the Stadio Delle Alpi but high wage demands means Arsenal will not be tempted.

"This situation is disturbing the market because you have a flow of players coming out," Wenger told the club's official website, www.arsenal.com. "But don't forget that the players of Juventus are very well paid and not many clubs in the world can afford to pay these kinds of wages.

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"We can not afford to do it. That is why we are not very much disturbed by the Juventus case. It is very unlikely because the wages are too high for us. "Juventus got punished to [go down to] Serie B plus 30 points. They have a team who are above 30 so I cannot see why they would give players out on loan.

"Even if they make it back in two years those players could be finished."

Turin may be out of bounds for Arsenal but Wenger is happy to look to West Bromwich for inspiration as he attempts to sign a replacement for the injured Philippe Senderos.

Senderos is out for three months with a dislocated shoulder and Wenger admits Albion defender Curtis Davies is a possible target, although not at the £12million price tag being quoted.

"We have lost Senderos for the next three months. Johan Djourou and Gael Clichy have had injuries as well," he said. "If we find a player who can play centre-back and left-back then we are still open for transfers.

"Curtis Davies I like. I have not made an inquiry or a bid but I like the player. I will not be making a bid as high as £10million or £12million."