Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger confirms neither he nor Alexis Sanchez will leave for the Chinese Super League anytime soon with the Chilean holding out for a big-money contract
Gunners boss said: "If I considered only money I would not be here today"
ARSENE WENGER says he would snub China — and told Alexis Sanchez to do the same.
Arsenal’s boss, 67, is a top target for the mega-bucks Chinese Super League but he insists England is the place to be.
SunSport revealed last month Chile striker Sanchez, 28, is being offered £500,000-a-week to join ex-Manchester City chief Manuel Pellegrini at Hebei China Fortune.
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But Wenger insisted: “If I considered only money I would not be here today, believe me.
“The biggest pride is to compete at the top level.
“I understand when a player is 32 or 33 he can have a massive contract in China and secure the rest of his life.
“I can understand that he goes there. But today, top-level competition is in England.
“You want to be in England and I am happy in England.”
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Cristiano Ronaldo was offered £85million a year to play in the Chinese Super League.
But Wenger is not surprised the Real Madrid star turned it down. He added: “You can say ‘no’ — especially when you have the money of Ronaldo.
“I can understand the guy who works in the factory can’t say no, but a footballer can say no.”
Wenger coached in Japan before joining Arsenal in 1996.
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But the Frenchman explained: “I thought it would be a good personal experience to be confronted with a different culture.
“It is one of the best decisions I made — and I did not move for big money!”