Bergkamp: Arsenal's insult

The row between Dennis Bergkamp and Arsenal escalated today as his camp described the club's latest contract offer as "embarrassing".

The Dutch star, one of Arsenal's greatest signings, is staying in Holland and will not return for pre-season training until his contract negotiations have been resolved.

Bergkamp's contract ran out on July 1 and although he has been offered a new one-year contract, it is on vastly reduced terms.

His agent, Rob Jansen said: "The contract Arsenal have offered Dennis is too embarrassing for words. I am not going to make public the amount of money involved, but I want to say that this is not the way to deal with people.

"I still intend to get a good outcome from this situation but we are disappointed with the way Arsenal have behaved."

Bergkamp's failure to agree terms is the latest in a series of blows in what is turning into a disappointing summer at Highbury.

Arsene Wenger has made little progress in his longstanding attempts to sign an experienced goalkeeper, while long-term target Harry Kewell is on the verge of signing for Liverpool.

Patrick Vieira is yet to sign his new contract and it was reported today that Thierry Henry is unhappy at the generous terms offered to his French team-mate after he recently signed a lesser deal.

Although Arsenal issued a hands-off warning over the French striker, new Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is willing to pay a world record £50million fee for the Footballer of the Year.