Wenger threatens to quit over Arsenal Usmanov takeover

London, Nov 8: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has threatened to quit the Gunners and move to Real Madrid if Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov wins the battle to seize control of the club.

According to reports, Wenger has no interest in the lavish promises that Usmanov has made in an attempt to win his battle for power.

Usmanov has said that if his group seizes control of Arsenal, he would inject over 100 million pounds to strengthen the squad, but Wenger remains convinced that his policy of developing a team based on nurturing young players rather than importing expensive superstars is the way ahead.

'If somehow Usmanov managed to take control then Arsene, who is otherwise utterly loyal to the club, would quit. He doesn't want any owner interfering with the way he is developing the team. He has long been resistant to bringing big money signings in,' News of the World quoted an Arsenal insider, as saying.

'He has a plan and everyone is seeing it come to fruition. That's not to say along the way he won't bring in some players but he will only do so on his terms. Arsene has made the board very aware of that and that he couldn't work with an owner who insists on spending big money on new players,' the insider added.

Last summer, Wenger had turned down an offer from Madrid to move to Spain. He has been adamant that he won't break his contract, but citing indifferences inside the management he might give it a thought.

--ANI