Arsenal not prepared to sell but Fabregas could leave, Manchester City target Gregory van der Wiel
Cesc Fabregas’ future uncertain as the end of the season approaches
Following speculation about their young captain Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal released a statement saying they did not need to sell the Spaniard but could not guarantee if he would stay at the Emirates Stadium at the end of the season, which is fast approaching.
The 23-year-old midfielder made it clear that he wished to return to Barcelona, his boyhood club, after winning the 2010 World Cup. However, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger managed to convince him to stay at the London club. Though the fact that he stayed gives
no guarantee of his future, which is still very uncertain.
Fabregas is thought to be frustrated with his side, who have failed to win any silverware in over five years. The Gunners recently missed out on the chance to claim a trophy when they lost out to Birmingham City in the Carling Cup final on Sunday.
Wenger placed a very high price on the midfielder which deterred interest from the Catalan side but has not yet prevented sides like Real Madrid and London rivals Chelsea from showing interest. The Blues are reportedly prepared to pay about £50 million to
bring the Spanish international to Stamford Bridge.
However, Ivan Gazidis, the Arsenal chief executive revealed that he believed Fabregas would stay with the Gunners. He said while speaking to reporters, “Fabregas has a contract until 2014 and I do not think he'll leave. We do not need to sell him to make
money and this puts us in a position of strength.”
Gazidis admitted there was a possibility Fabregas could leave during the summer but insisted they did not need to sell him. He continued, “Of course I cannot guarantee that next year he'll still with us, but we certainly do not need to sell him. Today he
is our captain and is an important piece of the team.”
Manchester City eye Gregory van der Wiel
Big spending Manchester City have reportedly given up on Barcelona star Dani Alves and diverted their efforts towards Gregory van der Wiel instead, the Ajax right back. Alves caught City’s attention when he had not entered talks of signing a contract extension
with the La Liga giants. However, he is now reportedly close to signing a deal which will keep him at the Nou Camp longer than his original contract which would have expired in 2012.
Van der Wiel is not a bad substitute for Alves, the 23-year-old has spent his entire contract with the Holland outfit and is an impressive defender for his age. The Dutch international even represented his side in the World Cup and Manchester City will have
to face top sides like AC Milan, Real Madrid and Juventus to sign him.
He is valued at an estimated €15 – 20 million and is contracted to Ajax until the end of 2013.