adminLONDON. — Arsene Wenger has expressed his surprise that Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has joined Manchester City on a short-term loan. Manchester City will pay all of Lampard’s wages during his loan spell with the club, amid suggestions they are using the deal to bypass Uefa’s Financial Fair Play regulations.
Lampard signed on a free for New York City last month — who are part-owned by Manchester City — and with the MLS season not starting until March he will spend the next six months at City.
But Wenger claimed Manchester City could be getting around Financial Fair Play rules by buying franchise clubs around the world.
The Gunners boss, who saw his side surrender the Emirates Cup after a narrow 1-0 loss to Monaco, was quizzed on the 36-year-old’s temporary move to the league champions from their MLS franchise New York City FC.
“It’s a surprise, after all the statements we heard. But it looks like all these ‘City’ clubs are going to feed the main club, Man City.
“I’ve heard that they want to buy five clubs all over the world.
“They register in the clubs where they put them, and then they can go out on loan. Is this a way of getting around (Financial) Fair Play? I don’t know.”
Currently, Manchester City part own New York City, Yokohama F-Marinos and Melbourne City.
Eyebrows were raised on Sunday when City confirmed they were taking former Chelsea star Lampard on loan prior to him joining New York City. City owner Sheik Mansour bought the New York City franchise in May last year and also owns Melbourne City in Australia.
Arsenal boss Wenger has revealed he’s been told City wanted to have FIVE franchises around the world.
And he claimed they could become feeder sides for the Premier League champions and help overcome UEFA’s FFP rules, which aim to prevent clubs spending more than they earn.
City have already been fined £49m back in May for breaching those regulations.
Arsenal face City in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday and when asked about Lampard’s loan move, Wenger said: “It is a surprise. After the statements we heard, it looks like all these City clubs will feed the main club.
“They bought the New York franchise for US$100m to play next season and at moment the players they sign cannot play until next year.
“They will register in the clubs where they will put them and they can get out on loan.
“Is it a way to get around the FFP? I don’t know.”
Asked if Arsenal might consider a similar policy Wenger said: “We are happy to dedicate the money we make just to run our club as there is not a lot of surplus to buy other clubs.” Wenger was speaking after his men failed to lift the Emirates Cup on Sunday.
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