Barcelona officials met with Arsenal yesterday to discuss Cesc Fabregas. Samir Nasri rejected a last-ditch Arsenal contract extension as he looks forward to life outside the Emirates.
According to The Guardian, Barcelona’s vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu and director for football Raul Sanllehi were in London to negotiate a deal for Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas. Barca launced a new offer of £33m for Cesc but were quickly turned down by Arsenal.
Arsenal and Arsene Wenger are anchored at around £40m. Sources believe that £40m is the low-bar for Arsenal, and anything less will be laughed off. Barcelona are expected to creep up little by little until they reluctantly reach Wenger’s asking price.
Barcelona are free to focus on Fabregas after securing Alexis Sanchez. Pep Guardiola previously stated that Sanchez was priority number one with Cesc a close number two. Either way, the Cesc saga needs to end soon.
According to Daily Express, Samir Nasri is no longer interested in staying at Arsenal. It is believed that Wenger made a last gasp attempt at a contract extension yestersay. Apparently, Arsenal are willing to pay the Frenchman £110,00 per week.
Sources close to Nasri says that the French midfielder has grown tired of Arsenal’s sluggish negotiations. He has now set he sights on Manchester City, who are prepared to offer him £150,000 per week. If Nasri does not go this summer, then he will skip away for nothing next year.
If Nasri has made up his mind to leave, then Wenger needs to let him go. Get £25m for him and replace him with Eden Hazard or Juan Mata. No logic in letting him go for free next summer. Plus, how much effort will Nasri put in if he has already decided to leave. A two-week injury will turn into a month, which will turn into two months, and so on.
It appears likely that Nasri and Fabregas will go. Arsene Wenger should begin looking for into a back-up plan soon. Both players will need replacing, but maybe it will be a positive. The squad became stale last season and is in real need of new blood.
Click here for an analysis of Arsenal’s preseason friendly with FC Cologne.
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