Cesc Fabregas has already become the transfer saga of the summer.

And yet his father, Francesc Fabregas snr, has ensured the story has taken a sinister twist.

In an interview with Radio Marca, Fabregas' father clearly admits that Barcelona have already spoken to his son.


Fabregas senior says Barcelona have told his son to tell Arsenal that Barcelona is the only club he wants to join so that other interested clubs - Real Madrid and Manchester City also want him - cannot force the price up in a bidding war. What the fuck?!

Furthermore, Fabregas snr says the money being talked about is 'insane.' Too right. Last week, prospective Barcelona presidential candidate Sandro Rossell claimed the club was in 'stratospheric' debt.

And yet, where is UEFA president Michel Platini in all of this?

Platini has hammered English clubs in the past for having too much debt and yet there is a wall of silence when it comes to Barcelona not only putting themselves into a crippling financial position but blatantly flouting 'tapping up' rules.

Arsenal now have an open and shut case to take to FIFA about an illegal approach. But in reality, what is the point? The damage has been done.

Arsenal have a player who has told them he wants to leave, despite extending his contract until 2015 for a bigger pay deal.

They have a player who is angling to get away, angling to keep the price down and yet Arsenal insist they don't want to sell and don't need the money. Mind you, Fabregas is 23, a sought after Euro 2008 winner and Cristiano Ronaldo fetched £80m last summer.

It's likely to get very messy, especially as the evidence from Fabregas' father could not be more clear.

Here's Exhibit A on 'tapping up'. Just look at this evidence from the Q&A with Fabregas' father :

Q: Do you think Barça will work hard to sign Cesc?
A: "From what they have said it appears that they will because he is a player they really want."

Q: Cesc has only one choice to make? To go to Barca or stay at Arsenal.
A: Yes, that is the decision. Barca have said not to listen to anyone else that is not Barca. That means that evidently there are other clubs that are interested and would not have the difficulty that Barca would have to pay the amount that Cesc would currently cost. To avoid that he wanted to clarify that he will only either stay at Arsenal or go to Barca."

And here's Exhibit B on finance:

Q: Some Barca fans do not think that Barca should break the bank to sign Cesc.
A:"Everyone thinks that the world of football can be a little insane. I have a small construction business and deal with budgets of €2,000 or €3,000 and all this is beyond me. Is Cesc worth this amount? They talk about millions like they were nothing. It does make people nervous but what can you do if it is your son and he is involved in all this? I understand that people are all discussing this, but one has to understand Cesc's circumstances. When he first left he said he would not go back, but things happen. Now this interest is mutual. A valuation is the difficult part. I am in the middle."

Platini is trying to bring in tougher UEFA licences within three years to stop clubs spending more than their turnover. They must not plunge themselves into debt.

Furthermore, clubs must observe UEFA and FIFA rules. This 'everyone does it' theory on tapping up doesn't hold much water. It's illegal.

And yet Platini's proposals are seen as a damning indictment of English football.

But Arsenal is a well run club, not trying to bankrupt themselves while paying off a new stadium.

Yet their sound finances, long-term planning and football philosophy is being disregarded by the likes of Platini whose bias against English football seems to know no bounds.

After yesterdays revelations from a Norwegian website that Nicklas Bendtner’s “dream” is to one day play for Real Madrid or Barcelona, I have found another foreign language interview with the great man.

But this time it is in an interview with FIFA.com. The headline is: Bendtner, a confident young man.

They start by saying that Bendtner is really looking forward to the World Cup, and he really believes that he can be the top scorer in the competition, and if trophies was awarded for confidence alone, then he would win it easily!

“If you ask me,” Bendtner said, “if I am the one of the better goalscorers in the world, I would reply yes, because I believe it”,

“When I look at other strikers, it is true that I need to score more. But the whole of the rest of my game is good. I only need to add the goals to become the man that I want to be; one of the best”

“I do not believe that I am overconfident.” he continued. “I believe that i have the confidence equal to my talent.”

After yesterday’s post, 90% of the comments from Arsenal fans were either amused or scathing of his ability. There are not many fans that share Bendtner’s confidence in himself. Perhaps he will prove everybody wrong in South Africa?

I have just checked the betting on ToteSport for Bendtner to win the Golden Boot and he is a very well-priced 100/1. Does anyone think he has a real chance?

Arsenal' former defensive midfielder Martin Keown has expressed delight at the level of awareness and commitment shown by Arsenal' Belgian import Thomas Vermaelen in the just concluded Premier League season.

Although, so many discontented people concluded there was nothing to write home about after another failed attempt at glory - Keown doesn't share their pessimistic views and expects Vermaelen to step up his game as he believes there is still room for improvement.

The 43-year-old ex centre back said of Vermaelen in an interview with Arsenal Tv Online:

Quote:

He's been outstanding without doubt, and it's (only) his first year. What I'd like to see him now do is to grow, I'd like to see him become a leader, I'd like to see him become more vocal. It's difficult watching from the sidelines but I get the feeling he is still feeling his way into the team. What I love about him is that he attacks the ball. People criticised him and said he was just 5ft 11 but he proved it doesn't matter. We need him to understand his role. Once he does that he can bring the rest of the back four with him and organise that line.

The Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega has told the Sun that Arsenal have made an offer to Wigan for his services. The big, strong Colombian international had already said in April that he felt ready to join a top Premiership club, and the Wigan chairman Dave Whelan agreed that he wouldn’t stand in his way if a big club came in for him.

Rodallega said today: “‘I don’t know if I’ll stay at Wigan but I do know Arsenal have made an offer for me.”

Colombia played South Africa yesterday in a friendly international, and Rodallega was only brought on for the last ten minutes. He had an immediate impact and Colombia came close to an equaliser, but they ran out of time and ended up losing 2-1.

This news of an offer for the Wigan man comes as a surprise after Arsenal have confirmed Marouane Chamakh’s arrival, and with Robin Van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and Eduardo all vying for a place in Arsenal’s attack, there wouldn’t seem to be room for any more, no matter how good they are…….

Скандальный форвард миланского "Интера" и молодежной сборной Италии Марио Балотелли может в ближайшее время перейти в лондонский "Арсенал", сообщает Sportbox.ru со ссылкой на Caughtoffside.

Главный тренер "пушкарей" Арсен Венгер хочет видеть нападающего в своей команде и готов уговорить акционеров клуба выложить за него 16 миллионов евро.

Отметим, что болельщики и руководство чёрно-синих наверняка будут не против подобного поворота событий, ведь за последнее время темнокожий итальянец становился главным действующим лицом многих скандальных ситуаций. Ранее об интересе к игроку заявлял также "Манчестер Сити", но представители "горожан" не сумели заинтересовать юного нападающего.

В минувшем чемпионате Италии 19-летний Балотелли провёл за миланцев 26 матчей, в которых забил девять мячей.

Уже завтра экс-футболист лондонского "Арсенала" Фран Мерида будет представлен в качестве игрока мадридского "Атлетико", сообщает AS.

Мерида перешел в "Атлетико" на правах свободного агента. С мадридским клубом игрок заключил четырехлетний контракт. За "Арсенал" Фран Мерида выступал с 2006 года, переехав в Лондон из "Барселоны".

Арсен Венгер сообщил, что надежд на покупку Мертезакера нет, потому что "Вердер" не хочет продавать своего главного опорника.

Босс "канониров" мог приобрести защитника Вердера летом, так как неизвестно- подпишет ли новый контракт Вильям Галлас, Микаэль Сильвестр и Сол Кэмпбелл, и все это ещё предстоит решить.

Немецкий опорник недавно сказал, что это было бы очень хорошо если он перейдёт на "Эмирэйтс" и составит пару Томасу Вермалену.

Но тренер Вердера Клаус Аллофс сообщил, что Мертезакер является важным игроком для Вердера и переезд в Англию исключён.

"Мы развиваемся. Это даже не будет обсуждаться".

Мертезакер сыграл 60 матчей за сборную Германиии, а в настоящее время готовится к Чемпионату Мира в ЮАР. Венгер был заинтересован им, чтобы усилить оборону и бросить вызов "Челси" и "Манчестер Юнайтед" за победу в Премьер-Лиге в следующем сезоне.

Аарон Рэмси дал интервью "Arsenal TV Online", в котором рассказал болельщикам о своём здоровье и травме.

Молодой полузащитник пропустил часть сезона из-за ужасной травмы, полученной в матче со "Сток Сити".

Из-за этого, карьера Рэмси находилась под большой угрозой, но Аарон смог встать на ноги без посторонней помощи уже через несколько дней после операции.

"Я смог подняться на ноги через несколько дней после операции. Это было очень сложно и больно, учитывая тот факт, что в моей ноге находится железный штырь, доставляющий мне дискомфорт".

"Я думаю что в нем есть свои преимущества, потому что не приходится долгие месяцы ходить в гипсе, который затрудняет твое перемещение и возможности".

Несмотря на такой довольно большой шаг назад в своей карьере, молодой валлиец не сомневается в своем положительном будущем на "Эмирэйтс".

"Я чувствую себя достаточно хорошо. Несмотря на то, что я вижу мало улучшений в выздоровлении, это сильно вдохновляет меня".

"Я думаю, что серьезные травмы помогают человеку осознать насколько он сильный. У меня крепкий характер, и я надеюсь, что все закончится хорошо".

"Честно сказать, я не знаю, когда вернусь в строй. Медицинский персонал проверяет меня каждые пару недель или раз в месяц. Как только я восстановлюсь полностью, я смогу возобновить тренировки".

Нападающий "Арсенала" и сборной Голландии Робин Ван Перси рассказал о победе в товарищеском матче над командой Мексики (2:1), который состоялся вчера, 26 мая.

Напомним, что Ван Перси стал героем этой встречи, записав на свой счёт оба мяча, на 17-й и 41-й минутах.

"В первом тайме встречи порой показывали хороший комбинационный футбол. Хотя во второй половине сыграли не столь удачно, но первым товарищеским матчем можем быть довольны", - сказал Ван Перси.

"Что касается моих голов, то мне давали передачи высшего класса. Мне не сложно забивать после таких передач", - заключил Робин.

Также, главный тренер сборной Голландии Берт Ван Марвейк после победы прокомментировал игру Ван Перси.

"Ван Перси сегодня был великолепен и провел два красивых мяча. Однако во втором тайме нам не хватило сил, поэтому Мексика заиграла намного лучше. Но это получилось из-за интенсивных тренировок в последние дни", - сказал Ван Марвейк.

Arsene Wenger tells Cesc Fabregas to focus on World Cup

Cesc Fabregas says an inspiring talk with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has allowed him to focus on the World Cup and not a possible move to Barcelona.

The Arsenal captain said: "It was probably the greatest conversation I have had with someone in my life.

"I respect him so much. He told me to concentrate on my football and the World Cup and he will deal with whatever happens in my future."

Last week Barca contacted Arsenal with a view to signing the 23-year-old.

Arsenal, however, said they had not had an official approach from the Catalan club.
Fabregas, who is currently with Spain's World Cup squad, signed an eight-year contract with the Gunners in 2006 and has been quoted as saying he would join Barcelona if he left the Emirates.

After his chat with Wenger, he added: "It's not up to me any more. It's just now about Arsenal and whoever it has to be and that's it. I don't want to say anything else.

"I just want to be focused for the World Cup because it's the most important thing. The rest, the future, I'm not interested in the future.

"The only important thing is to form part of this team and play in the World Cup.
"When I play it's always to win and help my team-mates. I will give everything to help Spain be champions."

Joan Laporta's reign as the Catalan club's president comes to an end this summer, and two of his potential successors, Sandro Rosell and Alfons Godall, have mentioned signing Fabregas as part of their election campaign.

The midfielder played alongside current Barca favourite Lionel Messi in the youth team at the Nou Camp before moving to north London seven years ago.

Barcelona have already recruited Spain striker David Villa from Valencia for £34m, a deal which went through on Friday, and they would love Fabregas to become their next big recruit.

Former Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida was officially presented by his new club, Atletico Madrid, this afternoon.

The 20-year old opted to leave the Gunners and move to Spain after failing to make it into Arsene Wenger’s regular eleven and signed a four-year contract with the Europa League Winners.

During the press conference, the Spaniard explained that he is an offensive player who likes to keep the ball in his feet and promised to work hard so as not to disappoint expectations.

Meanwhile, Bolton manager Owen Coyle has confirmed that he is ready to keep midfielder Jack Wilshere on loan for one more season, adding how defender Gary Cahill will not be part of the deal if the two parties reach an agreement for the 18-year old Englishman.

Wojciech Szczęsny will be Arsenal’s number one goalkeeper in the future, according to Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger. The Poland international has completed his spell with League One Brentford, and will now go into contention for the number one jersey in pre-season.

Szczęsny won critical acclaim during his spell with the Brentford, in which his arrival coincided with some unbelievable form. A selection of saves, including penalty stops cemented his reputation as not only one of the best goalkeepers the Bees had ever had, but it added substance to the quote from Wenger that “with Wojciech, when you think it’s a goal, it’s still not a goal”.

The video below documents exactly why the 20-year-old is so highly rated and features most of his saves whilst in League One. Some of them have to seen to be believed.

Some interesting quotes coming form Arsenal and Mexico forward Carlos Vela this week.

Vela was quoted as saying:

Quote:

“It was difficult for me this year. I didn’t have many opportunities when I was fit. Afterward, many injuries didn’t allow me to be in good form. But I believe I still have time to get ready.”

Vela missed two one-on-one chances in Mexico’s 3-1 loss to England on Monday and he has too see the writing on the wall after Arsenal signed Marouane Chamakh last week.

Quote:

“I’m only concentrated on playing for Mexico and having a good World Cup, and having a good World Cup can open many doors. If not at Arsenal, we’ll see where.”

As we saw on Monday, Vela is not clinical enough in front of goal to play at the highest level. It is ok scoring goals in the Carling Cup, but he has not shown that he can score them on a regular basis in the Premier League.

I would expect that after the World Cup Vela will be sold, probably to a Spanish team.