Joan Laporta proposes Sandro Rosell to meet Arsene Wenger to resolve “Fabregas Saga”
The former President of Barcelona, Joan Gaspart Laporta has asked the new man at his post Sandro Rosell to man up and face the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for the transfer of Cesc Fabrgas. The Fabregas saga still continues after the Gunners manager stated that though the transfer of his star midfielder was out of question, however if the Barcelona board shows more serious attitude then he might consider sitting down at the table.
The star Spanish midfielder has been the epicentre of all gossips and rumours this summer as he continues to elude spectators if his move to the Spanish Giants Barcelona will take place or not. Since the end of the season Barcelona expressed their desire to sign in their long lost son. At the age of 16, Fabregas left Barcelona to join Arsenal where he was bred up by Arsene Wenger. The reason for the abandonment of the Catalans was him being constantly being overshadowed by the star studded Barca team, especially Xavi and Iniesta.
At Arsenal the player was polished and soon became their pivot of success. It came as a shock when all North Londoners’ fans got to know that their hero and team’s captain had decided to make a switch and return to his former club but so far the negotiations have been unsuccessful mainly because of two reasons; Firstly the club have found it hard to sit at a table together and secondly Wenger is demanding at least 60 million pounds as an offer for the player even before the negotiations start. Barcelona on the other hand are not willing to pay more than half that amount.
Gaspart who has had experience in the Fabregas saga has relayed that if Rosell really wants Fabregas to come at Nou Camp then the President will have to travel to London to meet Wenger. While talking to media the former President stated, “My advice, and that's what I've told him (Rosell), is that this will end by catching the plane to London and sitting down face to face with Wenger”.
He added the contact made by Rosell must be on a one to one basis, “Not by telephone, not with intermediaries, this has to be resolved with a meeting in person. Rosell must not be scared. If he fails, the whole world will understand but no-one will be able to say that he didn't try until the end”.
He urged Rosell not to be afraid of the French man as the fear could only be pointed out as one of the reasons that the deal had not occurred so far. He collaborated that it will be difficult for Arsenal to retain a player that does not want to play for them and Rosell must know how to exploit that factor.
Laporta recited his experience saying, “The English are very English, very hard at the time of negotiating. Moreover, Mr Wenger, as a good Frenchman, knows how to play his cards. I have seen him in negotiations and he has ended up selling. You have to meet him face to face to know if he is bluffing”.
Fabregas was in Barcelona’s youth academy for around six years before joining Arsenal in 2003. He still has 5 years remaining on his contract with the Gunners and they have turned down a bid of 30 million pounds for the prodigal midfielder. Last season he played another central role in helping the North Londoners to a successful campaign.
The 23 year old player had 19 goals and 19 assists last season. He also had a marvellous FIFA 2010 World Cup campaign and played a major role in Spain becoming the World Champions. He assisted the goal that Iniesta scored for Spain to achieve the World Cup glory.
Many players from the Spanish team have already endorsed his arrival like Lionel Messi, Carles Puyol, Gerad Pique, Victor Valdes, Andres Iniesta and Dani Alves. Xavi went as far as saying that he is just playing on loan for Arsenal and they will expect him to re-enter Nou Camp soon. The team even forced him to wear a Barcelona jersey while celebrating the World Cup victory.
Laporta has also revealed Wenger and England’s coach and Football Associations’ head Fabio Capello refused to coach for Barcelona when the opportunity came in 2001. He informed that Wenger was tried to lure in after the departure of Llorenc Serra Ferrer but a similar story to the “Fabregas saga” took place back then.
He commented, “When I was president, in agreement with Rexach, when Serra Ferrer left we negotiated with Arsene Wenger and Fabio Capello to coach Barca. I met Wenger in Paris. He wanted to come to Barca but Arsenal didn't let him. The Arsenal chairman ordered him to fulfil his contract”.
He added, “Capello also wanted to come, but they (Roma) didn't let him either”.
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