Haggling Arsene Could Run Poker School

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Sir Alex Ferguson offered an amusing assessment of Arsene Wenger's haggling technique in the tough negotiations over Robin van Persie.

After weeks of stalemate, Ferguson finally got his man after convincing Arsenal to sell up for £24million.

Speaking at the unveiling of Van Persie, the Manchester United boss said: 'He (Wenger) could run a poker school in Govan. 

'He got a great price but we are also happy the matter is concluded. From the starting position when we first started negotiating, Arsene has done well.

'We never thought we could get Van Persie. If you go back six months ago, I couldn't see us getting him.

'I thought Arsenal are not going to let him go. When I read he had refused a new contract, that is when we acted. It has been a long haul.'

Even so, it took a personal intervention from Ferguson to get the deal moving last week after it had apparently stalled permanently.

'I can't elaborate but it was amicable,' said the Scot. 'Arsene knew the boy wanted to leave. He knew he wanted to join us. That made it a bit easier but not in terms of trying to reduce the fee.'

Van Persie has been handed the number 20 shirt, vacant following Fabio's loan move to QPR.

With chief executive David Gill sat just five yards away, Ferguson declared that his transfer business for the summer was done.

He did, however, tell MUTV earlier that there was one player he would like to sign if he became available, without actually saying who it was.

And whilst he noted Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has loosened the purse strings at Stamford Bridge this summer, Ferguson still believes Manchester City are the biggest threat.

'Chelsea have won the European Cup,' said Ferguson. 'It is a trophy Roman Abramovich has been after. He has now got excited again and loosened the purse strings to sign a few players.

'I am almost certain they will be challenging, but I look at Manchester City as our biggest danger.'