Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle has confirmed that a bid from Arsenal for Gary Cahill has been turned down, claiming the bid could not even be described as "derisory".
The 25-year-old defender is entering the final year of his contract at the Reebok Stadium and has been consistently linked with a move to Arsenal this summer.
But Coyle says the two clubs are a distance apart in terms of their valuation of Cahill, with reports claiming Arsenal have bid £7 million for Cahill.
"There was a conversation between (Bolton chairman) Phil Gartside and a representative of Arsenal," said Coyle.
"I'm only passing this on as a third party, but the word 'derisory' doesn't even cover it.
"When I make an offer for a player, I'd like to think in the right ball park, but this wasn't even close.
"I spoke to Gary Cahill about it before the Macclesfield game, and he knows everything that's going on."
Wenger confirmed later on Friday that he had bid for Cahill, but the Frenchman insists that the figure being reported is incorrect.
He said: "First of all I would like to say the number is wrong.
"It's completely wrong and nothing to do with how much we rate the player.
"I believe negotiations are between two parties and you only have to sell the player if you are alright with the price.
"In this case the information is below what has been spoken about."
Gartside retweeted a message sent by a Bolton fan angered by the offer, but Wenger was furious at the Trotters' reaction. The retweet was later deleted.
Wenger added: "It is not true. You can believe Gartside or you can believe me. It's not right. It's not the truth.
"If Gartside can say I am lying I am ready to confront him. The truth is that we never speak about our negotiations.
"If a club doesn't want to sell a player it can keep him. When we sign a player we come out here and tell you and keep the price a secret.
"They do not need to sell the player, they can keep him. If you ask do I want to buy your house and you are not happy with the price you say no, that's it.
"Why should you feel insulted? I don't understand. If the player is not for sale they can keep him. I don't understand the problem.
"If we want to buy the player we buy the player. I do not have to explain for how much."
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| Gary Cahill, wanted by Arsenal, is in the final year of his contract at Bolton Photo: Getty Images |
The 25-year-old defender is entering the final year of his contract at the Reebok Stadium and has been consistently linked with a move to Arsenal this summer.
Gunners boo Arsène Wenger is keen to bolster his defensive options and has money available following the recent sales of Cesc Fàbregas and Samir Nasri.
But Coyle says the two clubs are a distance apart in terms of their valuation of Cahill, with reports claiming Arsenal have bid £7 million for Cahill.
"There was a conversation between (Bolton chairman) Phil Gartside and a representative of Arsenal," said Coyle.
"I'm only passing this on as a third party, but the word 'derisory' doesn't even cover it.
"When I make an offer for a player, I'd like to think in the right ball park, but this wasn't even close.
"I spoke to Gary Cahill about it before the Macclesfield game, and he knows everything that's going on."
Wenger confirmed later on Friday that he had bid for Cahill, but the Frenchman insists that the figure being reported is incorrect.
He said: "First of all I would like to say the number is wrong.
"It's completely wrong and nothing to do with how much we rate the player.
"I believe negotiations are between two parties and you only have to sell the player if you are alright with the price.
"In this case the information is below what has been spoken about."
Gartside retweeted a message sent by a Bolton fan angered by the offer, but Wenger was furious at the Trotters' reaction. The retweet was later deleted.
Wenger added: "It is not true. You can believe Gartside or you can believe me. It's not right. It's not the truth.
"If Gartside can say I am lying I am ready to confront him. The truth is that we never speak about our negotiations.
"If a club doesn't want to sell a player it can keep him. When we sign a player we come out here and tell you and keep the price a secret.
"They do not need to sell the player, they can keep him. If you ask do I want to buy your house and you are not happy with the price you say no, that's it.
"Why should you feel insulted? I don't understand. If the player is not for sale they can keep him. I don't understand the problem.
"If we want to buy the player we buy the player. I do not have to explain for how much."
Related links:
Team
Personal
Also see:
