Spurs or Arsenal? Rio says players choose money

Rio Ferdinand has said he would choose to join Tottenham over Arsenal “purely on potential” but he admits money is a factor.

Ferdinand was asked whether there had been a power shift that made Spurs a more attractive destination for a player during the build-up to Saturday’s north London derby.

“If I’m a player now, and I sit there and base it purely on potential on where I’m going to be more successful in the coming years, I sway towards Spurs,” Ferdinand said on BT Sport.

“Based on the potential in the squad and the balance of the squad. I don’t think the balance in Arsenal’s squad is there.”

But Ferdinand went on to admit that players do not judge clubs on potential.

“To break into the top teams they need to break the wage structure, the way the game has gone, it’s a business now,” he added.

“Players look at themselves as a business, they’re not going to go to Spurs for half the money.”