• Champions League

Neymar would be my dream signing - Wenger

ESPN staff
December 6, 2011
Neymar would be Arsene Wenger's dream signing © Getty Images
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed Brazilian wonderkid Neymar would be his ideal signing - if he had the money.

Wenger is preparing to take charge of his 200th European game as a manager when his side take on Olympiakos in Athens on Tuesday evening, with the Gunners having already progressed into the knockout stages of the competition.

Having previously confirmed he will not be looking to add to his squad in January unless presented with the opportunity to sign a star, Wenger revealed the 19-year-old Santos player is the one player he currently covets above all others.

"If I had the money today, I'd put it on Neymar," Wenger said, according to The Sun. "You can't say that Neymar is Pele as he had won the World Cup by the age of 17.

"He has the potential to be one of the future great strikers but at the moment there's a big difference between the Brazilian league and a European league."

Arsenal will likely struggle to sign the teenager, who is valued at around £40 million, however - especially as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea are reported to have a strong interest.

Concentrating on matters in hand, Wenger is proud to have reached his latest milestone and admits that managing in Europe has helped him to learn a lot more about the game.

"It is an impressive number because 200 games usually make a whole career. It's a privilege to play 200 games in Europe," he said. "It has meant many hotels, many planes and many big games -- that is the most important thing. Now, we'll try to do well on this occasion. Of these 200 games in Europe, there must be about 160 in the Champions League. That is at the highest level and it's been a fantastic experience.

"We've had many highlights because over the years we have won everywhere. Maybe the only place we didn't win is Barcelona. We have won in Madrid, Milan, Rome, Germany, France.

"We have won everywhere. That means Arsenal is remembered well all over Europe as a strong club.

"I'm always learning. You're always learning about Europe. Alex Ferguson has even more experience than I have and you can see that it's difficult in Europe to win every single game."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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