Saints Slam Arsenal Alex Bid
Posted Friday, July 08, 2011 by Dailystar.co.uk
ABOVE: Southampton have laughed off Arsenal’s bid to sign Alex Chamberlain for just £6m
Southampton have laughed off Arsenal’s bid to sign Alex Chamberlain for just £6m.
The Championship club have been preparing to fight off interest in the highly-rated young winger all summer – but were left stunned when Gunners boss Arsene Wenger finally made his move.
Saints had made it clear for months they would not do business for less than £12m, yet Arsenal came in with a bid at just half that.
Starsport understands that the official offer was treated with disdain when it was received, with Saints’ executive chairman Nicola Cortese believed to have thrown it straight into the bin with hardly a glance.
And they have left Arsenal in no doubt they should forget coming back with another bid unless they start to get serious with the money they are prepared to pay.
One source said: “It was regarded as derisory, and would not have been accepted even if the club had been on the brink of bankruptcy.”
Despite the prospect of losing star players Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, it appears Wenger is still in no mood to splash the cash too much this summer.
But Arsenal fans will be worried that more penny-pinching at the Emirates could see the club lose out on netting one of England’s brightest young talents.
Liverpool have made no secret of their interest in Chamberlain, who does not even turn 18 until next month – but until now had feared the player was destined for north London.
News that Arsenal are trying to nab Chamberlain on the cheap will re-ignite the interest from Anfield.
The Gunners, meanwhile, are at least hoping to complete the signing of Ivory Coast striker Gervinho in an £11move before the weekend.
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