Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said Paul Pogba's move to Manchester United "ticks all the boxes" and believes the money available in the Premier League is forcing prices up in the transfer market.
Per Sky Sports' Rory O'Callaghan, he said:
The value of a player is dependent on his talent, the expected strengthening of the team, his age and of course his resale value.
When you speak about Pogba, it ticks all these boxes—but we are in a system that we don't master. We have to follow the prices paid by other people. That has gone up because the availability of money is much higher. That's why we may have crossed the £100 million bar for the first time.
On Tuesday, Pogba completed his return to Old Trafford for £89 million, a sum which could increase with add-ons.
The Arsenal boss has been drawn on the Frenchman's world-record fee before, prompting Jose Mourinho to brand him "unethical" for discussing United's affairs, per Sky Sports. The Special One has now aimed a further barb at his rival by telling MUTV a transfer such as Pogba's could only happen "at clubs like Man United."
He added: "When I heard some of the comments and heard some of the managers criticising that, I don't think they never have this problem because, to have this problem, you need to be at one of the top clubs in the world."
The Times' Rory Smith believes the Portuguese's comments were unnecessary:
The pair have long been rivals and Mourinho in particular seems to enjoy trading verbal blows with the Gunners manager.
Unlike Mourinho's United, who quickly and decisively set about recruiting Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Eric Bailly, Arsenal are once again trailing their rivals in the transfer market with Granit Xhaka their only marquee signing.
While there is still plenty of time in the window remaining, the season starts on Saturday and Arsenal are still in need of a clinical centre-forward and commanding centre-back.
Wenger opened up on the effect the latest influx of Premier League money has had on English clubs in the market:
It makes the market more unpredictable. Where you could approximately value a player before, today the identity of a club that comes in for a transfer is more important than the rest.
If you go to Spain and you're an English club—straight away the inflation comes in. So I would say, in France the clubs, amongst themselves, are very reasonable. If an English club comes in, the price goes straight away up because they know there is money in England.
While the likes of United and Manchester City have shown they're prepared to meet the demands of those they wish to buy from, the frugal Wenger still appears to be reluctant to pay beyond his valuation of a player even if they would be a good signing.
Per Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol, he added:
The Gunners failed to sign a single senior outfield player last summer, prompting uproar from many of the Emirates faithful.
While the captures of Mohamed Elneny in January and Xhaka look to have addressed their issues in midfield, it's clear that top-quality recruits are still needed at both ends of the pitch if Arsenal are to sustain a title challenge.
Their rivals' ability to make key signings will only make Arsenal's failure to bring in those players an even bigger blow, so it's imperative they bring in the players they need soon.
Based on their record in the transfer market in recent years, it would not be a surprise if they are left short-handed once again when the window slams shut.