Arsenal confronts unpredictable football predictions for the new Premier League season over striker Robin van Persie’s departure. Now, they are facing the prospect of losing another key player – Alex Song.
Officials from FC Barcelona have flown in to London last Wednesday to negotiate with Arsenal. The powerhouse from Catalonia increased their interest in acquiring Song for his defensive playmaking abilities.
An estimated £12 million offer from the Blaugrana is at stake for Arsenal’s creative defensive midfielder, who still has three years remaining on his contract. The Gunners are not keen on selling him and will only consider the option if presented with an offer between £15-20 million.
Arsene Wenger, manager of the north London club, voiced out his reluctance to sell Song, who he considers as one of the club’s best-performing players last season alongside van Persie.
“There’s nothing going on with Song…Song has three years contract he’s not in the same situation as Robin Van Persie”, said Wenger in an ESPN report.
Amidst motives from Barça, Song expressed interest in entering into a new contract that will upgrade his fees and make him a top earner in Arsenal. The club has not yet discussed a new deal for the player.
If Arsenal loses Song, the club will face challenges for the upcoming league season, following top-scoring van Persie’s move to Manchester United.
Last August 13, Song reveals in an ESPN report that he is aware that other clubs are pursuing him, but he is happy with Arsenal. He added that transfer speculations are bound to ensue until the end of the transfer period.
Carlos Kameni, Malaga’s goalkeeper and Song’s Cameroon national team teammate, said that his compatriot told him that he would like to go to Barcelona just like any other player, calling the club the “best in the world”.
Barça midfield star Andres Iniesta approved of a possible Song transfer. He remarked that the Cameroonian, who he called a “prodigy”, would be welcomed warmly in Camp Nou.
Photo credits:
Alex Song [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 16 August 2012, from <http://www.london24.com/sport/arsenal/midfielder_flattered_by_barcelona_interest_but_happy_at_arsenal_1_1480115>
