“But the more important issue was the salary cap.

“If the salary cap was there, we would have done it.”

Kraft has experience of building sporting arenas, having overseen construction of the 68,000-seat Gillette Stadium in New England in 2000, but hinted that he was less comfortable with the prospect of trying to make a team profitable in an environment where wages and transfer fees continue to rise unchecked in an economic downturn.

Attending Wimbledon this week for the 35th consecutive year, Kraft also said: “If the salary cap came here, I would buy a team in a minute because we think we know how to run a sports franchise.

“We have stuff sent to us all the time, but I think deep down, until there was some kind of salary cap structure I couldn’t go ahead with it… unless there was a great business steal.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool full-back Arbeloa seemed to confirm his imminent departure after Spain’s shock Confederations Cup semi-final defeat by USA when he said: “It would be a lie to say I will definitely play at Liverpool next season.

“But at the minute I have to put my personal problems aside and just concentrate on playing for Spain.

“From Monday I’ll start to think about my future.

“I know my situation is in the air, and the only thing I know is I have one more year on my contract.

“But if there are any offers maybe Liverpool has to think about this because I have just one more year.

“It fills me with pride that Real Madrid would look at me. I’m flattered – it’s a great project with the return of Florentino Perez.”