The transfer of French defender Mikael Silvestre to Arsenal, for
a minimal transfer fee thought to be little over £700,000, has so
far been the most surprising switch of the summer.
History had been made as the two most successful Premier League
managers agreed on a transfer deal for the first time in 12
years.
Sir Alex Ferguson spoke to The Sun about his decision in allowing
Silvestre to leave for their title rivals. "I could have been
selfish and put Mikael in the reserves... but we are bigger than
that. Mikael said he wanted first-team football. He had lost his
position to Patrice Evra, so after nine years’ service, there was
no point holding the boy against his will."
He continued: "He is a really nice lad and a great professional, so
I let him conduct his own affairs. We knew the price we wanted and
informed the teams who came in for him. He went up to Sunderland
last Friday, and was very positive about that, then Manchester City
came on to the scene."
He concluded: "He was halfway through his medical when Arsenal came
in. We have no complaints with the deal at all."
Silvestre is understood to have a slight muscle problem but is
still believed to make the Arsenal bench for Saturday's early
evening fixture with London rivals, Fulham.