Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has raised questions regarding Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard’s loan move to reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.
Lampard, who spent 13 successful years at Stamford Bridge, will spend the next six months on loan at the Etihad before the start of the 2015 MLS season, having signed a two-year deal with new franchise New York City FC.
However, Wenger feels the English player’s move to City is a means for the club to adhere to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side were punished last season by UEFA for over-spending, and were dealt with a £49 million (R878 million) fine, and will only be allowed to select a 21-man squad (instead of the normal 25-man team) for Champions Leagues games this campaign, with eight of the squad members having to be home-grown players.
"Is it a way to get around the fair play? I don't know," Wenger told the press.
"At the moment the players they sign cannot play until next year so they will register them in the other clubs and can get out on loan.”
The English champions are part-owners of Lampard’s new Club, New York City FC, and own Australian club Melbourne City FC as well, and Wenger feels this is a ploy to capture players back on loan from their various clubs across the globe.
"It looks like all of these 'City' clubs will feed the main club Manchester City - I heard they want to buy five clubs all over the world,” said the Gunners coach.
"I don't know the rules well enough, but they bought a franchise for £59.4m to play in the States next season."
Wenger said his team will not repeat their rival’s antics, and will remain focused on running their own club in London.
"We are happy to dedicate the money to just run our club - there is not a lot of surplus to run other clubs," he said.
"We are happy to dedicate the money to just run our club - there is not a lot of surplus to run other clubs," he said.
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