Arsenal's Wenger: No Chelsea offer for Cole
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists Chelsea have NOT tabled a bid for want-away fullback Ashley Cole.
The two clubs are involved in a battle for the 25-year-old England star, with Chelsea reportedly offering £20m for Cole but Arsenal holding out for £25m.
But Wenger said: "It is not true that we have turned any offer down.
"Chelsea have had June, July, August. Everybody says Chelsea are interested in buying Ashley Cole but they have had three months now to buy him."
Cole was left out of the Gunners' squad for the Premiership opener against Aston Villa.
His move across London remains uncertain with Chelsea expected to complete the signing of Dutch international defender Khalid Boulahrouz from Hamburg.
Wenger added: "We are ready. From our part there's no problem. Why don't you ask Chelsea what the problem is? I don't know.
"It's also difficult for us. We have a player and we cannot really count on him. Is he with us or not? We have to sort this situation out quite quickly. The numbers are not so important for Chelsea. They just bought a player.
"This situation is not a money situation. We have not turned down an offer. The problem is not between us and Chelsea.
"He doesn't need to ask for a transfer because we gave him permission to leave when he extended his contract at the end of last season.
"He has permission to leave if a club come in and makes the right offer.
"If that doesn't happen the consequence will be that he will stay. If nobody gives us the right offer what can you do?"
The Arsenal boss insists he will play Cole when he thinks he is ready, although it is unlikely to be in Wednesday's Champions League qualifier second leg against Dinamo Zagreb.
The Gunners are 3-0 up from the first leg and playing Cole would cup tie him and add an extra complication to the transfer.
Wenger added: "I will play him next week if I judge him fit enough to play.
The two clubs are involved in a battle for the 25-year-old England star, with Chelsea reportedly offering £20m for Cole but Arsenal holding out for £25m.
But Wenger said: "It is not true that we have turned any offer down.
"Chelsea have had June, July, August. Everybody says Chelsea are interested in buying Ashley Cole but they have had three months now to buy him."
Cole was left out of the Gunners' squad for the Premiership opener against Aston Villa.
His move across London remains uncertain with Chelsea expected to complete the signing of Dutch international defender Khalid Boulahrouz from Hamburg.
Wenger added: "We are ready. From our part there's no problem. Why don't you ask Chelsea what the problem is? I don't know.
"It's also difficult for us. We have a player and we cannot really count on him. Is he with us or not? We have to sort this situation out quite quickly. The numbers are not so important for Chelsea. They just bought a player.
"This situation is not a money situation. We have not turned down an offer. The problem is not between us and Chelsea.
"He doesn't need to ask for a transfer because we gave him permission to leave when he extended his contract at the end of last season.
"He has permission to leave if a club come in and makes the right offer.
"If that doesn't happen the consequence will be that he will stay. If nobody gives us the right offer what can you do?"
The Arsenal boss insists he will play Cole when he thinks he is ready, although it is unlikely to be in Wednesday's Champions League qualifier second leg against Dinamo Zagreb.
The Gunners are 3-0 up from the first leg and playing Cole would cup tie him and add an extra complication to the transfer.
Wenger added: "I will play him next week if I judge him fit enough to play.
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