Football Transfer Update: Barcelona keeps putting pressure on Arsenal for the transfer of Fabregas
Although at one point it seemed that the Cesc Fabregas episode is over, with an eventual victory for Arsenal, but the same news keeps popping up in the football circles. The Catalunyan President had already said that their pressure is actually hurting Arsenal, so they might not go on with the speculations related to Fabregas. It was a sigh of relief for the Gunners as well, who are keen on retaining their captain for at least one more season. In addition, Fabregas had his mind set in one direction, as speculations about his future seemed to be over.
It is the same story in the transfer market, all over again but this time, it is not Real Madrid who are creating problems for other clubs, but Barcelona. They have never shown such intent in signing a player, like they are showing for Cesc Fabregas. After a clarification by the President, the coach Pep Guardiola restarted this episode. In the press, he claimed that the signing of the young midfielder would cost a lot to the club, but he is going to do it anyway. This might increase the heat between the two managers, as Arsene Wenger showed his displeasure in the press about the tactics used by Barcelona, in signing of the player.
After the intent shown by Guardiola, Xavi has gone a step further by saying that Arsenal is only temporarily stopping the inevitable. He said that if Fabregas does not join this year, he would surely come in the year to follow. Further, he said that Arsenal is only signing the midfielder from Barcelona, on a one year loan deal, and the midfielder would return to his original club in the next. Xavi also talked about the way Fabregas was unsettled by this whole episode, as he announced his desire to join Barcelona during the World Cup.
Barcelona offered 35 million Euros to Arsenal for the signing of the midfielder. However, Arsenal rejected these offers, showing their intent of retaining the young Spaniard for at least another year. However, different events, including the one when Fabregas was forced to wear a Barcelona shirt, made things worse for the Catalunyans. These things made the Gunners angry and they also made public statements about the way the situation was being manipulated by Barcelona. This caused a strain in the relations between both clubs, due to which Barcelona’s president told the press that the relations must be improved. Right now, this seems to be the top priority of the club. After the improvement in the relationship, the dialogue for a possible transfer of Fabregas would resume automatically.
In any case, Arsenal has already been harmed, despite their successful attempt of retaining their captain. The Barcelona players have come to the press, time and again, to show support for Fabregas, but it is only harming the Arsenal’s cause. The player is, undoubtedly, unsettled at the Emirates Stadium, right now. The whole season of Arsenal depends upon the young Spaniard, but his heart is somewhere else. He does not want to stay at Arsenal, but now Barcelona has made it look like that it is the fault of the Gunners only. This would strain the relationship between Wenger and the midfielder. Either Fabregas stays or not, the damage to Arsenal has already been done.
However, the real villain in this episode is no one but Barcelona. They have blown this whole thing out of proportion, and now they are facing a two-horned devil. Their relationship with Arsenal has worsened, while Arsenal is doing everything in their capacity to hinder a possible transfer move.
There is no doubt that Cesc Fabregas is meant for Camp Nou, eventually, but his current owners can do everything in their capacity to delay his move. In any case, both the clubs must sit together and negotiate their differences, but first the statements from the players, with the intention of unsettling the player, must stop immediately.
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