Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he has considered including buy-back clauses in some of his sales - including Steve Sidwell, now of Chelsea, and Blackburn's David Bentley.

He said: "Sometimes I try and put a buy-back clause in the deals when I know they will be players - but sometimes that it is a bit unfair on them because after letting them go you should give them the chance to go where they want to go.

"It is difficult, but I think as well that there is enough of a link that you could persuade the player to come back anyway."