Has Arsene Wenger got a point over THIS dubious transfer?

The boss has recently offered his view on Frank Lampard’s suspicious move to Man City, questioning whether or not the move was premeditated prior. Lampard signed for MLS’s new expansion side New York City FC but was sent on loan to parent club City until 2015, but is now reportedly considering extending his loan spell, and Wenger believes the move may raise some eyebrows across the board.

“You always have two judgements, one is moral and one is legal and it just depends what you consider,” said Wenger.

“I think ‘is it legal?’ You have to respect it after that and the player has to deal with his decisions. I respect the fact he wants to play at the top level and he maybe didn’t have that opportunity any more at Chelsea.”

“I don’t really know (what) is behind all that . Was it always his plan to go to New York and go to Man City? I am not sure.”

“I genuinely think he wanted to go abroad and to New York, and (then) suddenly was offered this solution to come back to the Premier League and he took it. He could explain that much better than I do, I don’t know what is behind that.”

I agree with Wenger’s assertion, regarding Lampard’s original intention to go to New York, and I don’t believe Lampard is dishonest or sneaky in any manner. It seem to me that he was given a chance to return to top level play and surely he cannot be faulted for that. It is widely reported that he favoured a stay at Chelsea but was farmed out of the club, so it is not his fault that he finds himself in the situation he is in now. He is a top class professional who can still contribute at the top level so who are we to point the finger? (Can’t believe I am saying this about an ex Chelsea player!)

The question remains as to whether Lampard made any promises to New York City FC as well as anyone else that would prohibit him from extending his stay at City. Only he knows the answer to that and I expect him to make the right decision in that regard. If not, he should be free from any scrutiny. Reports of Man City using this transfer as a loophole around financial fair play is well off base I think (although I wouldn’t put it past them) and they just happened to benefit from a fortunate situation.