By Laurie Whitwell and Sami Mokbel
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Arsene Wenger has described Real Madrid's world record 87million bid for Gareth Bale as making a 'joke' of financial fair play regulations.
The Arsenal manager launched an attack on big-spending clubs who will be subject to UEFA's tighter spending rules for the first time this season.
The world record bid for the Tottenham winger, who is set to miss today's friendly against Monaco, is the standout transfer this summer.
VIDEO Scroll down to watch Suarez will respect Arsenal club values: Wenger
On his way? Gareth Bale, arriving at training on Friday, is the subject of a 87million bid from Real Madrid
The last time? Bale played for Tottenham against Swindon in a pre-season game
Toe the line: Arsene Wenger says Luis Suarez (pictured below on his return to training with Liverpool on Friday) will respect the values of Arsenal if he decides to move
Toe the line: Arsene Wenger says Luis Suarez (pictured below on his return to training with Liverpool on Friday) will respect the values of Arsenal if he decides to move
WENGER ON SUAREZ
The Arsenal boss also spoke of their ongoing negotiations to sign Luis Suarez.
'We want to (sign Suarez) if it is feasible in an amicable way,' said Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.
'We will respect what Liverpool want to do. I don't want to speak about Suarez, because that is between Liverpool and Arsenal.
'I am a great believer you have to keep as much confidentiality as possible, which is quite difficult in the modern world.
Real are seeking face-to face talks with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy next week to wrap up Bale's signing, with the Wales forward to be offered a basic wage of 165,000 a week plus bonuses and image rights.
Wenger said: 'It's quite amazing in the year, when financial fair play comes in, world football goes completely crazy. It makes a joke of it.
'You wonder what kind of impact and effect FFP has on the football world. It looks like it has made everybody worse than before.'
Paris Saint-Germain have signed Edinson Cavani for 55m, Barcelona captured Neymar for almost 50m and Manchester City have bought players for a total of 90m.
Monaco have also gone on a 120m spree, with Radamel Falcao costing them 50m.
Back to action: Wenger and assistant Steve Bould keep a close watch as the Arsenal squad train (below) ahead of the Emirates Cup weekend
POULTER SLAMS ARSENAL BUYS
Golfer Ian Poulter expressed the frustrations of many fellow Arsenal supporters on Friday as he criticised the club's unambitious transfer policy on Twitter.
He wrote: 'No point checking the sport section on the Internet to check who Arsenal may have signed. Losing interest in what a great club stood for.'
'Promised big signings for start of season. Oh no we won't we will say yet again the squad is strong enough. Scrap for 4th again oh joy.'
'I'm not sure Arsenal can afford Suarez food bill let alone wages.'
Arsenal, of course, are trying to prise Luis Suarez from Liverpool for 40m (plus 1), but Wenger argued he had such money at his disposal after years of saving, whereas others may be living beyond their means.
European football's new spending rules limit clubs to losses of €45m (about 39m) over three years, with the end of this season marking the first point that punishments, such as bans from competitions, can be handed out by the continent's governing body after two seasons of budgetary monitoring.
Arsenal, who face Napoli in the Emirates Cup today, have more than 120m in cash reserves but Wenger has landed only French striker Yaya Sanogo on a free from Auxerre.
He said: 'The money we have is down to the quality of our work down the years. Just spending is not a quality, buying the right players is. If you say we are under pressure to spend, yes we are, but I am more under pressure to spend the right way.'
Curiously Wenger said he hoped Spurs, who may rival Arsenal for a Champions League place, hold on to Bale.
'It's important the Premier League keep the best players,' he said. 'It's never good to lose a big player, especially as he is a British player.'
New Boy: Wenger said Yaya Sanogo, the club's only summer buy so far, will play without pressure and surprise the doubters
Arms out wide: Aaron Ramsey during training on Friday
All smiles: Mikel Arteta with a cheeky grin during training, as Arsenal warm up for their Emirates Cup matches against Napoli and Galatasaray this weekend
EMIRATES CUP THIS WEEKEND
Saturday
Galatasaray v Porto (2pm)
Arsenal v Napoli (4.20pm)
Sunday
Napoli v Porto (2pm)
Arsenal v Galatasaray (4.20pm)
Live on BT Sport
QPR manager Harry Redknapp, who oversaw Bale's transformation into one of the world's best at Spurs, believes the Welshman will move to the Bernabeu.
'It'll be difficult for him not to go now. I think he wants to go,' Redknapp said. 'He doesn't want to say it, but I hear from different sources that he really wants to go.
'When you're a kid and start playing, you dream about playing for Real Madrid.'
Back in the groove: Bacary Sagna looked delighted the season is nearly here
Directing the traffic: Lukas Podolski grabs the ball
Hands on: Kieran Gibbs and Per Mertesacker challenge for the ball during the practice match
Look who's back: Lukas Podolski points at Emmanuel Frimpong, who spent last season on loan at Charlton and Fulham
Long and short of it: Per Mertesacker sees the funny side of a Santi Cazorla comment
Wenger's target Suarez was banned for eight games for racially abusing Patrice Evra and is now serving a 10-match ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic.
Wenger said: 'This club has built a reputation over 130 years.
'We have values that we want our players to respect. That will be the case with every potential signing.'
ARSENAL'S PRE-SEASON RESULTS AND FIXTURES
July 14 Indonesia XI (Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta) 2.30pm - won 7-0
July 17 Vietnam (My Dinh National Stadium, Vietnam) 1pm - won 7-1
July 22 Nagoya Grampus (Toyota Stadium, Japan) 11.30am - won 3-1
July 26 Urawa Red Diamonds (Saitama Stadium, Japan - Saitama City Cup) 11.30am - won 2-1
August 3 Napoli (Emirates Cup) 4.20pm
August 4 Galatasaray (Emirates Cup) 4.20pm
August 10 Manchester City (Olympic Stadium, Helsinki) 3pm
Wenger is saving his pennies for a rainy day.
- pete , Middlesex, 03/8/2013 18:32
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