Could Fabregas be set for Gunners return?

 



By Nick Lander

 

Cesc Fabregas' Barcelona future has become the subject of intense speculation over the past few days, with new Manchester United boss David Moyes said to have made him one of his top priorities.

 

Any possible move from Barcelona for the former Gunners captain is made significantly more complicated by the terms of his move to the Camp Nou in August 2011. It is understood that Arsenal inserted clauses in the deal to have first option were he to move on from Barcelona and also a sell-on clause of 50%.

 

As a part of the first option, or buy-back, clause, it is understood that Arsenal agreed a fee of between £20-25m to buy him back. Combined with the 50% sell-on fee this means that it would be difficult for Barcelona to sell Fabregas to anyone other than the Gunners. Having paid somewhere in the region of £35m to secure his signature two years ago, Barca must sell to the likes of Manchester United at £70m to even be able to break even, let alone make any sort of profit.

 

Since the 26-year-old left, Arsenal have signed midfielders Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla, which could have an impact on Arsenal's desire to sign the Spaniard. However, it was heavily rumoured that Wenger made a £30m move for Borussia Dortmund's (or should that be Bayern Munich's) Mario Götze back in January, so the club's desire to sign another midfielder (of an attacking mindset) is evident, despite those already at the club.

It has been reported by some reliable sources on Twitter have said that Arsene Wenger and his staff are working on a deal to bring Fabregas back to Arsenal. Because of the player already at the club and because of the clauses in place, any deal is likely to be highly complex and will take time to complete.

 

The Catalan club are also believe to still owe Arsenal £10m for the transfer of Alex Song last summer. This could mean that Arsenal would be able to resign their former talisman for less than £15m over the summer, and were he to re-join, Fabregas would surely remain with the Gunners for the rest of his career.

 

He is due to hold talks with Barcelona officials next couple of weeks with regards to his future, following the conclusion of the Spanish league season.

 

Keep up to date with the latest Arsenal news by following me on Twitter (@nlander94) and by liking The N5 Blog on Facebook.  

Song on Verge of Barca Move

By Nick Lander

Cameroonian midfielder Alex Song would appear to be on the verge of a move to Spanish giants Barcelona. The holding midfielder has three years left on his contract, but Arsenal seem to have decided to sell him anyway.

Barcelona's interest has been public for the last couple of weeks, but because of the length of time left on his contract, Arsenal had been seen to be in a strong position, with little inclination to sell. However, Song's agent has reportedly infuriated the club by touting his client around the top clubs in Europe, and there has been some speculation that the club have been having some issues with the player over his attitude.

Other sources have been saying that Arsenal do in fact want to keep Song, but he has had his head turned by Barcelona's interest and that the Arsenal hierarchy just are not interested in yet another transfer saga, so will be naming their price.

In his press conference this morning, Arsene Wenger did little to dispel rumours that another of his star performers from last season could be set for pastures new. He said, "both [Song leaving and new signings] could happen. I don't know [about Song] at the moment.

"This decision [on Song] is not made. No [bid has been made]. I cannot tell you more."

Strong speculation has emerged this evening that Barcelona have successfully negotiated a £20m fee for the 24-year-old and that the Gunners will make a formal announcement that he has left the club by Monday. Spanish paper El Mundo Deportivo are reporting that the Catalans will be announcing his signing in a matter of hours, after the clubs agreed a fee of €20m (£15.7m) - although, as I said, British sources are suggesting a figure of £20m.

If Song does depart, Arsenal will be almost certain to strengthen, with Turk Nuri Sahin, 23, a likely arrival, on a season-long loan from Real Madrid. It had not been clear if Arsenal's move for Sahin was linked with Alex Song's future, but that does now seem the case (although I personally feel it's totally unrelated), with Sahin said to be stalling on a loan move to Liverpool so he can join the Gunners instead.

Another thing that was mentioned by Wenger during the questioning over Song's future, is that he now sees Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as a centre midfielder, rather than playing a wide role as he did last season, "Oxlade-Chamberlain now plays centre midfield - this is an area we have more freedom to make decisions."

Join the N5 Blog's fantasy football league on the Premier League website using league code 13667-212189

Keep up to date by liking the Facebook page and by following me on Twitter - @Goonernl.

Tello on Arsenal Radar?

By Nick Lander

Arsenal could be set to move for Barcelona starlet Cristian Tello after he was overlooked by new manager Tito Vilanova. The winger featured 22 times last season under Pep Guardiola and impressed. The former Espanyol player has not even been given a squad number now Vilanova has taken over, whilst some other, younger products of Barca's famous La Masia academy have.

Tello was part of the Spanish Olympic team that fell at the group stages this summer and will be disappointed to find, on his return to Spain, that his short term Barcelona future looks bleak. Athletico Madrid are believed to be considering a loan offer for the 20 year old, however, both Arsenal and Liverpool have monitored the youngster in the past, and may now make a move for a player who will clearly be upset to be overlooked.

Possibly available for less than £10m, Tello would be a real steal, he is definitely a future star. Arsenal already have a number of players in the wide positions, but the chance to snap up Tello for a bargain price may be an opportunity that is too good to refuse.

Keep up to date by liking our Facebook page and by following me on Twitter: @Goonernl.

Arsenal Make Tentative Afellay Enquiries

By Nick Lander

Arsenal are believed to have made preliminary contact with Barcelona to sound them out about the availability of Ibrahim Afellay for transfer. The 26 year old Dutchman has struggled for game time in Catalonia, partially through injury, and it is understood that Tito Vilanova has informed Afellay that he is not a major part of his plans for next season, and can move on.

As well as the Gunners, Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool are also interested in the talented winger, who is reportedly only valued at £6m. Newcastle United and Spurs have also been linked with a move for the player earlier in the summer.

Described as the "Dutch Zidane" by former national manager Bert van Marwijk, Afellay can play across the midfield, though is predominantly a winger. A good dribbler and crosser, the Dutchman could add some depth to the Arsenal squad, in the attacking midfield area that many are suggesting needs strengthening.

If any move is made to secure Afellay's services, it is likely that it will come after Arsenal's Asia tour - unless their hand is forced by a rival bid.

Keep up to date by liking us on Facebook and by following me on Twitter - @Goonernl. 

Arsenal Reject van Persie Bids

By Nick Lander

Arsenal are believed to have received and rejected three bids for Robin van Persie this morning. Understood to be from Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus, none of the bids topped £15m, way below the Gunners' £20m asking price.

Van Persie announced that he would not sign an Arsenal contract extension at the beginning of July, and there has been a flurry of speculation since. The striker joined Arsenal for just £2.75m back in 2004 from Feyenoord. With 48 goals in his last 55 Premier League games, van Persie is on form - it took him 139 games to score his first 48 Premiership goals - and the Gunners are unwilling to even enter formal talks with any bidding party until they receive an offer of at least £20m.

Having scored a goal every 111 minutes he was on the pitch in 2011/12 with a league high 58% of his shots on target, it is unsurprising the amount of interest there is in Arsenal's captain. In addition to the three clubs who have already bid, AC Milan are expected to get involved at some stage, and both Real Madrid and Barcelona are understood to have an interest in signing the Dutchman.

Following these bids, van Persie is now set to be left behind from Arsenal's forthcoming Asia tour, in order to work on his fitness (finalise a move elsewhere). If their valuation of their player is not met, Arsenal are believed to be prepared to hold him to the final year of his contract and lose him for nothing next summer.

Keep up to date by liking us on Facebook and by following me on Twitter - @Goonernl. 

Van Persie Rejects Arsenal - including club response

By Nick Lander

Robin van Persie has today confirmed that he will not be extending his stay at Arsenal, in a statement released through his official website.

Arsenal's Captain says that he has made his decision due to differing visions between himself and Arsene Wenger over how the club should move forward. He had a meeting with Wenger and Ivan Gazidis just before Euro 2012, based on which "it has again become clear to [him] that [they], in many aspects, disagree on the way Arsenal should move forward."

Van Persie has confirmed that he will have further meetings with Gazidis in the near future, but he will not sign a new deal, having "thought long and hard about it." The striker also says that he has not discussed a contract with the club "financial terms or a contract have not been discussed" as those are something which are "not [his] priority at all." His full statement is available here.

Arsenal could hold van Persie to his contract, but are likely then to miss out on receiving a transfer fee for the striker, although success in 2012/13 could convince him to extend his stay. Arsenal's other option is to sell him this summer. Manchester City are definitely interested and are believed to be considering a £20m, £200k per week offer. Abroad, Italian side Juventus have reportedly already tabled a miserly offer of £8m. It has also been suggested that Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are interested too.

The club has responded to their Captain's statement, saying that they "are confident that he will fulfil his commitments to the Club." They go on to say that they are preparing for next season with "Arsenal's best interests in mind." A statement which does not really say anything, and which suggests that the Gunners' talismanic captain may be sold for the right price. The full statement can be found here.

For Arsenal fans, it will be a very bitter pill to swallow if van Persie opts to follow in the footsteps of Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri and join Premier League champions City, and if he does he is unlikely to be remembered with much fondness. The wounds caused by Samir Nasri's protracted transfer there last summer are still very fresh.

If he decides to move abroad, van Persie will be remembered more fondly, but a move to Serie A is likely to be seen as a step down, and neither Barcelona or Real Madrid have shown firm interest as yet. Were RVP to move to Catalonia, it would have to be questioned whether he could get into the Barcelona team on a regular basis - although the same was asked of Fabregas last summer and he has done alright.

What actually happens remains to be seen, but any move is unlikely to be made in the next couple of weeks, with van Persie, Wenger and Gazidis all still believed to be on holiday. After the debacle of last summer, Arsenal fans will be hoping that an outcome (whichever way it goes) is reached sooner, rather than later, enabling the club to get on with preparations for the new season without any uncertainty.

Keep up to date by following me on Twitter - @Goonernl