Football: Arsene Wenger determined to keep Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal fans anti-Barcelona
Arsene Wenger, the manager of Arsenal, has pleaded, that the continuous speculation regarding, his club captain, Cesc Fabregas, joining Barcelona should be put to rest.
Arsene has already declined a bid from the Spanish Champions worth 30 million pounds. Barcelona President Sandro Rossel has also finally come out and said that now it looks like the deal may not be able to go through until the next transfer window.
Several of the Barcelona players have publically asked Fabregas to comeback to Barcelona. They said that Fabregas should come home as that is where he belongs.
Wenger said this has to stop. Fabregas is a very important player to Arsenal and is also an inspirational captain. The Frenchman said that losing him would be a huge blow to the club and they would do all they can to keep hold of him.
After Spain won the final of the World Cup in South Africa, Fabregas was seen in a Barcelona team jersey, the 23 year old said that he did not mean to offend his club or his fans and he was just forced to wear the jersey.
Arsenal fans though see Barcelona as a threat now, even though Fabregas is on leave following the work load of the World Cup. The fans showed their anger towards the Spanish club by displaying anti-Barcelona banners at a pre-season friendly between Arsenal and Barnet at Underhill this weekend.
Arsene Wenger said that he can only do his side of the job. He added that the club never intended to sell him and the decision remains the same.
He said that just because Barcelona is such a huge club and they want him badly does not mean they should get him. He added that Arsenal holds a great reputation too and if the club does not want to let go of a player then they cannot be forced into doing so by anyone.
Barcelona President Rossel, who promised the club while being elected that he will bring Fabregas to Catalonia, has started to admit that the midfielder may yet be beyond their reach, but he added that this is only till the next transfer window approached.
Rossel while talking to a TV channel in Spain said that, Arsenal is very determined to hold on to their most prized asset. He added that the way we approached Fabregas was maybe not appropriate and Arsenal have not gotten over that till now. That may be the reason the club is not willing to have any sort of negotiations.
Rossel went on to say that this does not mean that Barcelona will stop pursuing Fabregas. He said that he will finally be here if not now than maybe later. He said the price of 60 or 70 million for, even a player like Fabregas is not fair. But he said it is not about the price right now, it is about the willingness to sell, that the London club do not have right now.
On the other hand, the Arsenal Boss said that apart from the Fabregas distraction, the club is active in the market till the transfer window remains open. He said that there are at least 2 to 3 players that he has short listed to join Arsenal but the names would not be revealed just now.
The French manager said that he expects Gallas and Mikael not to extend their contract with Arsenal and they may leave before the start of the season. But another defender Sol Campbell who is having a 2nd spell with the club is expected to sign a new one year extension.
Tags: