Wenger: Reyes bid 'not serious enough'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted Atletico Madrid’s offer for forward Jose Antonio Reyes was “not serious enough to be considered”.

Gunners vice-chairman David Dein confirmed the offer for the 22-year-old Spain

international had been turned down on Thursday night, and suggested Reyes may stay at the Emirates Stadium this season.

Wenger was equally convinced Atletico were way off meeting Arsenal’s valuation of the player.

He told Arsenal TV Online: “Atletico Madrid has not made a serious offer and that offer is not considered at all by us. It is not serious enough to be considered.”

Dein, speaking at last night’s Champions League draw, told Sky Sports News: “He is an Arsenal player and may very well remain an Arsenal player.”

Atletico president Enrique Cerezo had earlier confirmed Atletico’s firm interest in Reyes.

He stated that Atletico had lodged “an important offer” for Reyes and denied his club would have to offload any players to finance the deal.

Reports in Spain said Atletico had made a bid for Reyes in the region of £8.1m (€12m).

However, Arsenal were reported to have placed a £12.2m (€18m) price tag on the Spain international, who has made no secret of his desire to return to the Primera Liga.

Real Madrid were long seen as the favourites to land the former Sevilla player but their city rivals have stepped up their efforts to bring him to the Vicente Calderon stadium instead.