Recber is unhappy with Wenger Arsenal close in on Lehmann

The Turkish international claims Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger treated him "like a child" after agreeing personal terms over a move.

Recber, who has now signed for Barcelona, says Arsenal had the chance to sign him for nothing from Fenerbahce.

But Wenger's fears over the keeper's back injury helped make Recber's mind up.

"The deal was almost complete with Arsenal when I met Wenger," Recber said.

"But at that point he seemed to get obsessed with my back and asked if it gave me any problems.

"I told him it was absolutely fine and that it caused me no worries, but he insisted he needed a second opinion."

I told Wenger that if he didn't believe me then he hadn't bothered watching the World Cup and how I performed there

Rustu Recber

"I told him that I wasn't just some 19-year-old he could treat as he wanted," Recber told the Daily Express.

He added: "I told Wenger that if he didn't believe me then he hadn't bothered watching the World Cup and how I performed there.

"That was the point at which everything collapsed."

Wenger clearly had spotted those World Cup displays as Recber's form prompted him to sign an option retaining first rights on the keeper.

Arsenal are still searching for a replacement for David Seaman and have now turned their attentions to German international Jens Lehmann of Borussia Dortmund.

Wenger is also reported to be in talks with Valencia's Spanish international Santiago Canizares.

Seaman's departure leaves young Stuart Taylor as Wenger's current first choice, with Rami Shaaban still recovering from a broken leg.