Wenger Eyes Mutu

Last updated : 31 October 2004 By Rich Godden
Mutu faces between 6 months to 2 years on the sidelines depending on how lenient the FA is with his ban.

But, after that, Arsene Wenger has admitted he would be tempted to meet with the player. He said "At the moment, I don't even wonder if that could happen because I think he will be suspended for a long period.

"But he will be like everybody else once he has been suspended. He has the right again to start from zero and to be open to any negotiations. I would then meet the player and see what he tells me.

"There are other players in this country who have been considered to be positive and they have played again for big clubs.

"There will be clubs who will give him a chance. One he has paid for it, you cannot say never.

"(Fabian) Barthez has been caught in France but it has not stopped others buying him or putting him in the national team again."

Whatever happens, it seems likely that Chelsea would require compensation from whoever decides to take a risk on Mutu.