Arsene Wenger seems to have discovered impressive negotiation skills overnight if we are to believe the latest reports coming from the papers.
Barcelona “representatives” had apparently flown in to London, I imagine in dark suits, shady sunglasses and a suitcase filled with cash, to discuss with Arsenal the details of an offer believed to be £33.5 million. However, it is now being reported that Arsene Wenger is “demanding” £25 million as well as Barcelona’s highly rated Spanish midfielder, Thiago Alcântara.
Manchester United had been interested in the 20 year-old Spaniard, and apparently lodged a £15 million bid last month for the youngster. That was before he signed a new deal which keeps him at Camp Nou until 2015, with a new release clause of a massive £81 million.
That factor really does seem to cut this rumour short, and add to that what the player himself said when he signed the new contract with the European Champions; “I never thought about leaving. I’ve always wanted to be here,” and you find yourself wondering how on earth Wenger seems to think he can get anywhere with this. After all, isn’t this similar to what happened with Fabregas? Buy a player with a deep affection or “DNA” as some have called it for Barcelona, and they will most likely seek a return in the future. (Even though Thiago was actually born in Italy.)
He had a good European Under 21 Championship, scoring in the final with a 40 yard stunner, and has a whole host of other impressive qualities suited to Arsenal’s style. He has quick and tricky feet, with a clever mind and vision to match, allowing him to set up attacks from very little, and he has the mature ability to know when not to try something too ambitious – doing the simple things well, such as passing and creating.
It is no wonder clubs are interested in him, but I really cannot see Barcelona letting him go. Despite the fact that the competition in the Barcelona midfield is ferocious, and possibly impossible to penetrate for a player like Thiago Alcântara at the moment, the club won’t want to let such a talented youngster leave, especially so soon after agreeing a new deal.
Unless Wenger really is playing extreme hard-ball with Barcelona, and will refuse to sell Fabregas until his demands are met, this is a rumour dead in the water, but I’d like to see what you think. Would you rather see this Fabregas saga over and done with, and rid the midfielder for £35 million, or would you drag it out for a little longer in an audacious attempt to pick up the young Thiago?
PLJ
July 24, 2011 at 10:25 pm
@D.Bergkamp
Thats what im saying how can they rate Alcantaras potential at 81mil and pay 25-35mil for the proven potential and talent of Fab? If he REALLY wants to go then pay us in full and end the debait and end the speculation so we can get back to who Will be lining up for the Gunz.
jay
July 24, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Barca better hurry, because if Chelsea pay £35m for Modric, the price for Cesc should rise accordingly- say, £35m+Thiago or £50m in cash?
Kehinde
July 24, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Let fab go without fab arsenal can win trophies and we centre defender that is my own policy
PLJ
July 24, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Cesc was quoted earlier praising the teams effort in Germany so am unsure where he stands but he hasnt been passionate enough to remark on anything up until now but he was about the team effort?
Is it all hype cause if they had the cash or extra couple of mil it would be a done deal???
diamonddave
July 24, 2011 at 10:47 pm
y dont people get a grip we are losing two of our best players, that is now evident, WENGER WILL NOT REPLACE THESE, we will not finish in top 4 we will be mid table maybe fighting relegation it is about time wenger should f**k off fed up with the promises season after season, again nothing has materialised, what excuses will he make at christmas ime? if anybody has seen the tour of asia games and the game against cologne notice our defence HAS NOT improved, i am looking forward to the swift exit of wenger he and the board has destroyed our team and we will not have top players in our team because we dont win anything, we will always be known has the has beens unless wenger and the board f**k off
PLJ
July 24, 2011 at 10:59 pm
U need to get a grip mate, reality is one of the youngest teams in the prem and i beleive the youngest in the champions league beat Barca at home and challenged for the top honours…so why is that all going to disapear when in comparison to
manu- new keeper,no scholes,aging and shamed giggs
Chelsea-new manager,aging squad,no out and out striker
Liverpool-lost 3-0 to Hull (nough said!)
Spuds- modric wants out (there best player) hav to sell to buy
and maneybags-C loosing tevez,Mancinis neg tactics
what have we got tofear??? Oh yeah Swanselona!!!
Gunner
July 25, 2011 at 12:41 am
I agree, this is all going to end very poorly for our club. It’s become painfully obvious that Cesc wants out desperately and Barcelona is just delaying because they know that Wenger has to sell eventually and we need the money from the sale to buy whoever’s going to replace him. The question we have to ask is why do our best players (Cesc, Nasri, Clichy) want to leave our club? Something’s gone wrong.
Den
July 25, 2011 at 4:06 pm
Calm down Dave. Less negativity please. It will come right I’m certain.
By the way I’ve been watching arsenal for 50 years seen it all before. Wengers is without doubt the best we’ve had
.
Paul
July 24, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Its pretty clear from the “offers” they have put in for one of the games best midfielders that Barca have no interest in signing Cesc. They just want to make Arsenal suffer for the way he signed.
Gunner
July 25, 2011 at 12:43 am
I disagree, they want to sign him, but they are in a stronger position than we are because they don’t “need” him and they also know that Fab himself is pushing Wenger to sell. What makes this situation dangerous is that we need the cash from this sale if we are going to buy a replacement; the preseason has started we need reinforcements fast.
BAKARE BOLAJI
July 24, 2011 at 11:21 pm
Barca should not let Thiago leave but, they can loan him to Arsenal.
Northbanksy
July 24, 2011 at 11:22 pm
It all depends how Fabregas really feels. All he’s ever said publicly is that one day he’d like to return to Barca…everything else is media & Barca speculation / hearsay. Does he really want to move to Barca at this time most likely to start most games on the bench?
Gunner
July 25, 2011 at 12:44 am
Oh come one, we can’t delude ourselves anymore, he wants to go. If he didn’t he could quash everything just by saying he wants to remain in Arsenal and is not fielding any offers.
Jack
July 24, 2011 at 11:42 pm
£25 + Thiago? Sounds like a poor deal to me. Why not £30 + Mascherano – a player who would actually improve us. Check out my blog!
Peter
July 24, 2011 at 11:58 pm
Fabregas should be sold as a world class player, barca management should take note of this before going to London
Peter
July 25, 2011 at 12:05 am
Fabregas should be sold as a world class player, barca management should take note of this before going to London.
Edub
July 25, 2011 at 12:11 am
Diamonddave, Go and support man city. Sack Wenger and bring in who? New manager before the season has even started and the transfer window is still open? You need to lay off of them funny mushrooms my friend. Arsene will do all he can for Arsenal to win everything. He loves football more than you can imagine. The club will be successful again with Wenger, have faith!
Vishnu
July 25, 2011 at 9:13 am
You’re absolutely right. If anybody in this world can ever say a word wrong about Arsene wenger, I’m sure they can never ever be a loyal Gunner fan.. A simple example, just check out what Viera has said about Wenger in his last interview. Wenger is the man who comes to office first & leaves last, has done everything he can for Arsenal. I think he is just straining himself too much for such untrustworthy & selfish fans. Only when he leaves Arsenal, would those b******s who criticised wenger would know his value & will also know what will happen to Arsenal without this Great Frenchman. But even today I can see posts from Loyal Gunners praising Wenger even during times of failure that makes me feel happy. Have faith in Wenger. He bleeds Arsenal..!
Arsenal4Life
July 25, 2011 at 1:07 am
I say 40 million pounds en then we spend the cash on Jagielka, Samba, Mata and Benzema! We sell Almunia, Squilachi, Bendtner, Clichy(already sold), Diaby and Chamakh!
Bring in Jay-Emmanuel Thomas, Lansburry, Bartley, Frimpong!
Leo
July 25, 2011 at 1:45 am
Let Fab go. He’s injury prone and his heart is not Arsenal anymore. I’d say 33 mil is enough, but hopefully we can get 35 mil from him (But I seriously doubt that, since Barcass knows we have to sell him eventually).
About Alcantara, no way in hell Barcass would sell him. And for me, I don’t want another Barcass DNA player on our side again anyway. I think we have learned our lesson. Don’t do business with crooks.
Instead, I would love to see Juan Mata on our jersey. Plus a new commanding central defender. Hopefully that Jagielka or Samba will be ours. We really need this type of players.
YOUNG_GUNNERZ
July 25, 2011 at 3:29 am
this story has BS written all over it
Busasco
July 25, 2011 at 6:36 am
Mr Arsene wenger what you said is wright. I endorse it and other fans. If Barca need Cesc they paid up to 40million or 30 + Thiego Alcartara. That is the best solution that Arsenal can make to let Fabregas leave the Emirate. No 30m + Alcartara No action of selling of Fab to Barca.
Don fabulous
July 25, 2011 at 6:56 am
According 2 my accessment,barca dnt need cesc fab.give thiago a chance.
Jay
July 25, 2011 at 7:07 am
Hey friends,
The deal Thiago+25k sounds good. Another option might also be Mascherano+25k. The earlier Wenger settles that deal the better. This may help Wenger to buy Jagielka and Samba or Cahil. We need any 2 of them in the defence. Mata and Hazard are also needed. If we happen to settle these deals, believe me friends, Arsenal will be reign, not only in the EPL but in Europe as well.
Best of luck Gooners. Cheers.
Asif_Madridista
July 25, 2011 at 7:28 am
I think Barcelona are d one’s who r dragging these issue 4 a while now….if dey want Fabregas dat much thn y dey r being so stubborn 4 such a little added amount of money….cant c Thiago to go to Arsenal & 2 be honest dey dun need him…Ramsey is back 4m injury & its tym he should take d Fabregas spot…ryt now Arsenal Should focus more on a spot which is vacant & dat is d defensive midfield positon….Parker can be an option bt he is too old 4 Arsenal…Tiote can be a good buy…along wid dat if dey can buy Mata 2 replace Nasri(if he’s leaving)& gary cahil or a gud CB thn surely dey will be back in track….ohhh…1 more thing…lets all pray dat Wengers faith in his young GK doesnt backfire on him again….
goonergary
July 25, 2011 at 7:32 pm
West Ham are looking to either sell Parker or loan him out for a year.
I love to see Arsenal bring him in on loan swap deal with Frimpong going to the Hammers. This would suit all parties…. West Ham get Parker off their wage bill for 12 mths. Parker gets to show what he can do in a top team. Frimpong gets a years experience of first team football at a “footballing” side. Arsenal get a quality combative midfielder with experience and someone to keep Song on his toes( who also will disappear for two months for ANC)
david chuba
July 25, 2011 at 8:50 am
I really think Mr wenger is taking this too far, i think by now we should have concluded so as to get our team focus and ready.
EMERY EMEKA
July 25, 2011 at 9:59 am
A very good deal how i wish this come true thiago is a good player
GunnerPete
July 25, 2011 at 10:24 am
reading all the above shows just how desperate we Gunners are for an end to a couple of saga’s. (A) Sell cesc asap….and why not demand a top Barca player.Considering how pathetic Barca have been so far…make them realise they are dealing with a much superior club. (B) It just shows how good some of our ‘clear out’ players are when only Clichy has been sold and that for half his worth? ARSENE WILL STILL SHOCK EVERYONE BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS!
amit
July 25, 2011 at 2:14 pm
i m a huge lfc fan but now my heart is moving and this is all because of shit kenny well in fabregas case4 i think barca should allow alcantra to join arsenal but only on one condition that is he will be sold back to barca in 2 to 3years with 18 to 20mill fixzed price then that will be good business for both arsenal as well as barca what say i think i should become agent
James
July 25, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Arsenal and wenger should sell fab. Since he is eager to join barca, why keep an unhappy player wen there are players who are ready to shed blood to play 4 arsenal, and as 4 thiago we cant put him as part of d deal, if mr wenger insist then let him keep fab at arsenal, but i promise him next season barca would reduce d price 4 fab. To all barca fans dis season is promisin and as usual beat real madrid home and away
jimbo
July 25, 2011 at 4:46 pm
didn’t barca pay £40 mil plus samuel eto to inter for ibrimovic and they want cesc for 33mil!!!
pisstakers
peter eaton
July 25, 2011 at 5:03 pm
F*** them, tell the vultures he’s not for sale
Marques da Gunners
July 25, 2011 at 7:42 pm
If Fabregas want to go pls Wenger let him go,when Adebayor left,Arsenal continue,is only Nasri that i don’t want him to go. Let him collet Thiago with $25m.
katzak
July 26, 2011 at 2:44 pm
wenger has completely destroyed and ruined arsenal if his not sack this team that was once the pride of london would be the anguish of london my advice is to sack wenger the earlir the better.
Marcus Swartz
July 29, 2011 at 6:20 pm
hey guys what do u want fabregas to play
in the team……..so put more money in for him.