Arsenal Transfer News: Pardew Blasts Gunners Over 'Derisory' Cabaye Bid

Aug 20, 2013 02:05 AM EDT

Alan Pardew hit back at Arsenal for the timing of their bid for Yohan Cabaye which forced the Newcastle manager to leave the French midfielder out of the English Premier League game against Manchester City, which they eventually lost 4-0.

The Gunners are in desperate need of new faces and Wenger reportedly made a bid of around £10-12 million ($15.6-18.7 million) for Cabaye, which was rejected outright by Newcastle, calling the offer derisory.

"I didn't see any reason why that (bid) needed to happen," Pardew said.

"When you do a preseason like we have and been very thorough and prepared for three days with a team that includes Cabaye, it is tough for his head to be turned on the eve of a game.

"Why they couldn't do us the respect and the honor of waiting until Tuesday evening is beyond me."

Cabaye reportedly wants to leave Newcastle and would jump at the chance of joining the Gunners, who are woefully short of midfield options having lost the likes of Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to injury.

However, Arsenal will have to offer Newcastle at least £20 million ($31.2 million) if they are to stand any chance of landing Cabaye.

"I am not sure of the exact terms of it (the bid) but it is below our valuation for sure," Pardew said.

"This is a terrific player."

Pardew called for the transfer window to be closed before the season starts, citing the saga surrounding the likes of Luis Suarez, Wayne Rooney and Gareth Bale to emphasize his point.

"You put him in the Suarez and Bale situation which he has found himself in," he said.

"There is a question about the window being closed before we kick off the Premier League season.

"I know the Premier League asked the European leagues to do it and they wouldn't fall in line.

"But after the summer we have had, the situations we have had, with Rooney as well, it is definitely something they need to put under the microscope again."

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