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LONDON. — Arsene Wenger admits Paul Pogba’s transfer to Manchester United “ticks all the boxes”, but the Arsenal boss believes English clubs are forced to pay over the odds for players from abroad. The Red Devils smashed the world transfer record to bring the French midfielder back to Old Trafford.They paid Juventus an initial £89m for Pogba but agent Mino Raiola’s payment and his wages will take the fee skyrocketing past the £100m barrier.

And while Wenger admits United have captured one of the most sought after talents in world football, he believes the Manchester club may have paid too much for the French midfielder.

Wenger has earned a reputation as being financially frugal, but he claims United are only paying the going rate for such a star.

Speaking at the English Premier League launch, the Arsenal boss told Sky Sports: “The value of a player is dependent on his talent, the expected strengthening of the team, his age and of course his resale value.

“When you speak about Pogba it ticks all these boxes — but we are in a system that we don’t master.

“We have to follow the prices paid by other people. That has gone up because the available of money is much higher. That’s why we’ve crossed the £100m bar for the first time.”

The latest Premier League TV deal has increased the cash circulating around top-flight clubs.

And Wenger believes the mega transfer fees being bandied about is making the market more unpredictable.

He added: “Where you could approximately value a player before, today the identity of a club that comes in for a transfer is more important than the rest.

“If you go to Spain and you’re an English club — straight away the inflation comes in.

“So I would say, in France the clubs amongst themselves are very reasonable.

“If an English club comes in the price goes straight away up because they know there is money in England.”

While almost all of the Premier League’s top clubs have spent heavily this summer, Arsenal have so far shown restraint in the transfer market – Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka being the only high-profile arrival to the Emirates this summer.

However, with the club now short on defensive cover following Gabriel’s injury against Manchester City, Wenger admits Arsenal may have to invest in reinforcements ahead of the new season.

“We are in the transfer market, but we are focused on concentrating on our players — we have to get them ready for the season” he said.

“On the other hand, with what happened with us, of course we are looking outside to strengthen our squad.”

The Gunners boss is hopeful of having Jack Wilshere available throughout the new campaign, after the injury-prone midfielder showed promising signs of fitness during pre-season.

“He has a very big year ahead — I must say his preparation was encouraging,” said Wenger. — Sky Sports.