With increased speculation that he could leave Barcelona to return to the Premier League this summer, Cesc Fabregas is set to hold talks with manager Tito Vilanova this week, to ascertain how important he’ll be next season.
The Catalan side have added Neymar to their ranks, meaning another creative presence. With Fabregas often used as a false nine this season instead of a midfielder, and that position now strengthened, he may see his chances limited.
Arsenal, United and City are all interested, but Arsenal are in pole position if he is allowed to leave, as all Arsenal have to do is pay the transfer fee (about £25m) they got for him, back, and he’ll join. There are doubts as to whether Fabregas would head to United or City, and he’s made no secret of his continued love for Arsenal.
Of course, he may well decide to stay. He’s good enough.
A St-Wayne on our wallet
Arsenal are reportedly struggling to put together a tempting financial package to attract Wayne Rooney to the club. This doesn’t exactly seem like major news, seeing as Rooney earns over double of what Arsenal’s highest-paid player does. Arsenal have no issue with offering £25m for the striker, but his 1m-a month salary could prove more of an issue. There are still question marks over how suited Rooney would be to Arsenal, but it looks like we won’t have the chance to find out. Arsenal will likely pursue less expensive options.
Bentek-yay
Self-confessed Arsenal fan Christian Benteke could force his way out of Aston Villa in the hope of joining either Arsenal or Spurs. Atletico Madrid are also keen on signing the 19-goal Belgian striker to replace the Monaco-bound Radamel Falcao.
Benteke has impressed in his first season, but is still raw and perhaps needs another season at Villa before he thinks about moving elsewhere. The worst thing Arsenal could do is pay a considerable transfer fee for a player who doesn’t work out at all and then sits on the wage bill for a long time, a la Arshavin et al. He could cost anything between £15-30m, depending on who you believe. I’d plump for somewhere in between.
Hello Julio
It looks as though Brazil and QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar could be on his way to the Emirates. After admitting he was negotiating with an English side and would leave the relegated side, betting has now been suspended on the former Inter Milan man joining Arsenal. Arsenal came close to recruiting him last summer, but will take advantage of his relegation clause to sign him for a nominal fee.
The two-year contract mooted suggests he’s there to give Wojciech Szczesny one final kick up the backside so he’s ready to be Arsenal’s long-term No1, though it’s disappointing Arsenal have taken a cheaper option instead of signing long-term target Asimir Begovic. Let’s just hope this is the only cheap option Arsenal take, otherwise the summer may not turn out too well.
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