Kia Joorabchian denies role in Arsenal transfers and tells Jamie Carragher to ‘check his facts’ over Willian comments

AGENT Kia Joorabchian has denied playing a role in Arsenal transfers and blasted Jamie Carragher for claiming he influenced the Willian signing.

Carra slammed “joke” Gunners’ deals as he insisted their best recruits – namely Thomas Partey and Gabriel – came directly from boss Mikel Arteta.

Kia Joorabchian insists it was manager Mikel Arteta who persuaded in-demand Chelsea wideman Willian to join ArsenalCredit: Rex Features

Agent and business adviser Kia Joorabchian has hit back at claims he has an influence on Arsenal’s transfer dealingsCredit: AFP – Getty

But Joorabchian hit back, urging ex-Liverpool defender Carragher to “check his facts” and stop “talking rubbish” that could create a “very bad atmosphere” at Arsenal.

Former England star Carra told Sky Sports: “I really like Arteta. There’s a lot of nonsense around the club – bringing in players, buying players. 

“I think some signings were a joke. In terms of bringing Willian in, Luiz in, Cedric in.

“Is Kia Joorabchian making signings at the club?

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“Mikel Arteta has brought in Thomas Partey and Gabriel.

“They look like Arsenal’s two best players at this moment, certainly in the early stages of this season.”

But Joorabchian insisted Arteta was the driving force behind Chelsea wideman Willian, his client, choosing Arsenal.

He told Sky: “The fact is I had nothing to do with the signing of Willian. 

“If Jamie had bothered to check with Mikel [Arteta] or [technical director] Edu, they would have said Mikel presented three different times to convince Willian to be his number one signing at Arsenal.

“He had an opportunity to stay at Chelsea and to go to two other Premier League clubs. [Inter] Miami made him a very nice offer. Mikel convinced him to stay.”

Joorabchian added: “The main point is – why do Sky pay Jamie Carragher so much money to talk rubbish? 

“Surely he has the contacts through Sky or himself to make a phone call to Edu or even sky to put a question in through the press department.

“Why make an assumption that is going to create an atmosphere that is very bad throughout the club?”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk