After a Barcelona official spoke during the week about informal talks over a potential deal, Wenger said he wanted to keep his talented young squad together.
“There are no secret meetings because we don't want to sell our players,” Wenger said. “I can't see anyone with a competitive edge (wanting) to go to Spain. They have two good teams, I confess that. The No. 3 is 27 points behind.” Wenger was referring to Barcelona and Real Madrid and third-placed Valencia, whose victory over Athletic Bilbao on Thursday reduced its deficit to 24 points.
“This weekend the players (wanted to) go on strike because they are not paid,” Wenger said. “It is a league that is in complete disarray.” The threatened strike action, which could have affected games in all four Spanish divisions, was called off on Tuesday.
Wenger was also angry that British media regularly reported top Premier League players such as Fabregas being linked with Spanish clubs.
“I don't know why you (the media) want the best players who play in England to go to Spain,” he said. “If you are really competitive you stay in England, that's where the competition is and that's where the best players want to be.
“I have so many calls from Spanish players who want to join us and want to come here. I cannot understand your persistent campaign to get our best players away from England.”
