Arsenal have rejected a bid of around £25m from Barcelona for Emmanuel Adebayor but may yet be prepared to sell the Togo striker rather than offer him the improved wage packet that their exorbitant valuation of the 24-year-old would suggest he is entitled to demand.
According to a number of reports, Barcelona's bid was turned down yesterday, although it is distinctly possible that the Spanish giants will make an improved offer given the need of Joan Laporta, the club's president, to make a significant splash in the transfer market before he faces a vote of no-confidence from members at the weekend.
A bid of £30m could be sufficient to persuade Arsenal to sell Adebayor, especially as he continues to request a hefty wage rise. According to The Times, 'During all his discussions with the club, Adebayor has told Arsenal, where he has three years left on his contract, that he wants to stay, but that they must keep to a promise of a new deal as a reward for an outstanding season.'
The African is understood to be paid around £35,000 a week. While that is a fortune in most people's eyes, it is a relative pittance in Premier League terms. Moreover, Adebayor would be entitled to expect his salary to reflect Arsenal's valuation of his services. Were he to be sold for £30m, the transfer would be the sixth largest in the history of football.
Adebayor is not due to return to Arsenal to begin pre-season training until the end of the month, although his agent Stéphane Courbis is expected to meet with Arsene Wenger this week. Speaking to The Times, Courbis indicated that a pay rise would persuade Adebayor to stay in north London, remarking: "It is important for Emmanuel that Arsenal show their motivation to keep him. Whatever they will decide, the decision will be taken with respect."
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"Hang on he shouldered our attack as everyone else was injured! to be honest one good season and that attracts offers of 30 million plus that has to be good buissness and can only make the team IF, and big if if arsene can re invest into the team....think about it, we lose an unkonwn well he was when we got him. besides dont forget he couldnt get in the team when we had Henry and Van persie together so bollocks sell him to the highest bidder will do bugger all elsewhere just like everyone else when they leave us ok exception of viera. whoever he goes to they will soon realise he can only score if put on a plate for him....only my opinion but ive never rated him....besides that wheres the loyalty? he should take a leaf out of young cesc's book ....."
Kitty
"120k a week does rather stick in the throat but 35k is, alas, not really the going rate for a player who has been as useful to us as Adebayor - of course he has come on a treat under Wenger's regime but one can only insist on a certain amount of gratitude. He's not worth 120k in my book but who will replace him - we ain't going to be affording David Villa even if he wants to come, are we? Kitty"
truegoon
"I think a lot of people are being a bit harsh to old Ade. He did shoulder most of our attack last season and yes he did miss a few but he also scored some cracking goals. Young strikers of his type are hard to come by, thats why Barca want him. Having said that though, if we get 30 mill for him i'd snap their bloody arm off and go and buy Benzema."
thecremster
"As a Barcelona fan I really really really hope that Arsenal refuse all offers as 25+ Million for Adebayor is crazy..... Eto'o is much better than him......... If Arsenal had any sense then they'd settle for a straight swap....please god dont let this transfer happen"
Thecolonel
"25 million pounds plus for a decent club player??? take the money fast before they change their mind! if ever there was a case of a massive over valuation this is it"
hooverdoggy
"Sell him. Buy Villa"
Sy1ar
"cragglerock82: The reason he signed for £35k (which is still a good WEEKLY wage) is that he was a no-one, going nowhere special. Arsene took him in, made him a decent player and now he thinks he owns the world. A la Anelka and Flamini. Anelka said a month or so ago that he would have been better off staying at The Arse rather than travelling around like the Littlest Hobo and I think that Ade will come to the same conclusion in four or five years time."
Adz10
"please please please please sell!"
cragglerock82
"Speaking as a liverpool fan i say sell him. He's had one good year but you've got better players in your squad such as Van persie and Eduardo and with ¿25m you can buy a good young forward like Huntalaar or even a more recognised one. 35k a week in this day and age is abit of a p*** take considering what some players are on but fair play to arsenal for getting him to sign for that much anyway"
billysolox
"Sell him for 30mill, buy berbatov 30mill, everyones happy (except Tottenham, bonus). Piece of pish this managing lark. "
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