Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Arsene Wenger was left ‘incredulous’ by United’s refusal to pay Arsenal’s asking price for Robin van Persie.
The Dutch striker joined United from Arsenal for £22.5m in August 2011 and inspired the Red Devils to their thirteenth Premier League title with 26 goals.
The decision left Arsenal fans fuming but Ferguson, who retired at the end of last season, has revealed he rang Wenger directly to fend off interest from Juventus and Man City in Van Persie, and said the striker was desperate to move to Old Trafford.
The Scot also admitted that Wenger was stunned at United’s unwilling to pay their asking price but the rivals eventually reached an agreement.
“I warned Arsene we would never get to £25m. Arsene was incredulous. He could not believe that Manchester United wouldn’t stretch to £25m for such a player,” Ferguson revealed in his autobiography.
“I told him again: I wouldn’t go to £25m. Arsene asked what my best offer would be. Answer: £22m. The reply was that Arsenal would take £22.5m and a further £1.5m if we won the Champions League or Premier Leaguer during the period of his contract. Deal done.”