But while that figure in itself may have come as a surprise, Wenger and the Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein were astounded to discover that Carini's contract at Juventus specified that as soon as he had played 15 first-team games his wages would automatically double to $2.4m a season net of tax.
Carini's agent Paco Casal agreed that the goalkeeper's double-your-money clause could be dropped if Arsenal were prepared to pay a revised wage of $1.6m (£1.05m) a year - considerably more than would normally be budgeted for a young player who is on loan and not a first choice.
In addition, the player's agent demanded a minimum number of flights back to Uruguay during the season - first class, of course - adding several thousand pounds to the bill.
Carini has not been registered by Juventus for the new season after Luciano Moggi, the club's chief executive, promised to find him a new club. But unless he revises his wage demands, Carini could find himself without a team at all.’