Bates taunts Gunners

Chelsea chairman Ken Bates has aimed a public dig at Arsenal by claiming that the North London club could not afford to buy either John Terry or William Gallas – even if they were for sale.

Bates insisted that spending restrictions have been placed on Arsene Wenger due to the defending champions’ problems in affording a new multi-million stadium at Ashburton Grove.

Indeed, he even declared that it is more likely to be Chelsea attempting to buy Arsenal players rather than the other way around this summer.

Arsenal have recently been linked with interest in both Chelsea centre-backs, while Newcastle made an inquiry about Gallas last summer before they swooped for Jonathan Woodgate.

However, Bates made it clear that Terry and Gallas are not for sale and stressed that there is no cut-price buy-out clause in the French international’s contract.

“Even if Arsenal wanted Terry or Gallas, they couldn’t afford them,” the Chelsea chairman declared.

“I gather that Arsenal are struggling to raise money for their new stadium and Arsene Wenger has been told that he must sell before he buys.

“I would reckon that we will be buying from them before they’ll be buying from us.

“Maybe Pires, Vieira or Henry might scrape into the Chelsea team. That could give us a bit more balance in the squad and help them build the foundations for their new stadium!”

He added: “John Terry’s name has never come up with Newcastle. I believe that in the summer, they made an inquiry about Gallas, but were told that he wasn’t for sale and that was the end of it.”

Bates also went on to dismiss the repeated rumours that there is a £7.5m (€11m) get-out clause in Gallas’ contract, enabling other sides to sign him on the cheap.

“When [forming Chelsea managing director] Colin Hutchinson bought him, he put in a get-out clause where William Gallas could buy himself out,” he told Chelsea TV.

“But Colin wasn’t quite as stupid as that might sound. The next line says that Chelsea reserve the right to demand a compensation payment from any club that he joins.

“So although Gallas has to give us £7.5m (€11m), we could still demand another £10m (€14m) or £20m (€28) from a club that tries to sign him.

“I would think that would put him out of the range of most clubs. So we plan to offer him a new contract.”

Terry has two years left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, although Chelsea will have to increase their wage offer when talks resume this summer if they are to persuade him to sign a new deal.

Bates nevertheless insisted: “Neither of those centre-backs are going anywhere, apart from out onto the pitch.”