Madrid give up on Ronaldo and switch to Cesc
REAL IN FOR FABREGAS
EXCLUSIVE from DAVID HARRISON in Johannesburg
REAL MADRID will step up their pursuit of Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas after conceding defeat in the battle to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester United’s insistence they will not sell their star winger has finally been accepted by the Spanish giants.
Real chiefs have run out of patience with United’s stance and Ronaldo’s refusal to ask for a transfer, so have made former Barcelona trainee Fabregas their new No 1 target.
Ronaldo's done nothing wrong, says Fergie: Click here for full story
Spanish sources are claiming to have made two approaches to Fabregas’ representatives and were told he wants to stay at Arsenal for at least one more year.
But, as United will testify, Real do not give up easily and will try to prise him away before the August 31 transfer deadline.
Bank
The Gunners have had had to fight off repeated attempts by Barcelona to lure Fabregas back to Spain. He was one of the stars of the national team that won the Euro 2008 finals and most Spaniards want to see him back playing in his homeland.
But Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will not entertain any idea of selling his midfield maestro and will tell Real and Barca he is not for sale.
However, the Gunners have a history of selling their best players and Real have shown with their pursuit of Ronaldo they will break the bank with offers up to £70million for men that they really want.
Real are also keen on Valencia striker David Villa and have spoken to Hamburg about their midfield ace Rafael van der Vaart.
A fresh enquiry has been made to AC Milan over Brazilian superstar Kaka, while Werder Bremen’s attacking midfielder Diego is another on the Real hit-list.
What you seem to forget is that Cesc is a Barcelona boy, a fan. He would never go to Madrid, he'll stay at Arsenal till they want to sell him not for 'one more year'. Cesc has clearly stated on more than once occasion that he is happy to stay at Arsenal for life so why would he sign for Madrid ?
Posted by: Dave | July 27, 2008 at 12:17 AM | Report this comment
I Hope cesc stays for as long as he can. Hes already a legend and hes so young. I think I could take any player leaving Arsenal as one player doesnt make a team, but I could not lose cesc.
Posted by: Azza | July 27, 2008 at 01:27 AM | Report this comment
Oh dear, this old chestnut rearing its ugly head yet again. Year in, year out its the same old story and the same old answer "he's not for sale".
Now what part of that do you think they don't understand?
Posted by: Sue | July 27, 2008 at 01:40 AM | Report this comment
Cesc is a legend and is not for sale period..Cesc hope u reading these comments u priceless.
Peter
Posted by: Peter | July 27, 2008 at 03:06 AM | Report this comment
"Mad-Rid" have no shame! If they think that they can afford 'Fab' when they couldn't afford 'Skippy,' then they are truely mad! It will never happen, especially as he has Barca in his blood!
Posted by: SAGooner | July 27, 2008 at 03:50 AM | Report this comment
fabregas will not go anywhere unlike certain other players he loves the club and will stay for life
Posted by: neil smith | July 27, 2008 at 05:50 AM | Report this comment
another rat leaving a sinking ship!
Posted by: lee rider | July 27, 2008 at 06:51 AM | Report this comment
Cesc is not a money grubbin like helb ade and ronnie he is a Arsenal fan let alone a footballer and the child of ARSENAL we breast fead him and like a mother and child he will never leave her side
Cesc Worlds Best Midfielder Would have him in or team ahead of kaka and messi together
Posted by: ARSENAL FAN | July 27, 2008 at 07:08 AM | Report this comment
"Cesc,s not going anywhere, he is loyal". When are you Arsenal fools going to wake up, of course he is going to leave maybe not this year because of time but next year he will go for sure. A player of his quality is wasted at Arsenal now. The days of winning things have gone, your best players have left or are trying too. (Van Persie rumoured to be fed up and also looking elsewhere). Your manager has said you are a selling club. Cesc knows his future lies elsewhere if he wants to achieve things. Chelsea (my team) or Man united would be his best moves if he wants to win things.
Posted by: Ivan Pearl | July 27, 2008 at 07:29 AM | Report this comment
There is no way he will go to Madrid as hes a Barca fan. Yes he'll prob end up at the Nou Camp eventually, but I'd say in 3-4 years time.
Posted by: Deano | July 27, 2008 at 07:34 AM | Report this comment
AT SOME POINT THAT CESC WILL BE CASHED AND FAB KNOWS THAT AS WELL. HE WONT GO BACK TO SPAIN UNTIL HE HAS ONE AT LEAST ONE PREMIER TITLE AND LETS BE HONEST THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE CRUMBLING ARSENAL.
Posted by: Ian Higgins | July 27, 2008 at 07:36 AM | Report this comment
I hope they unsettle the lad at least. In closed season its been great watching Arsenal falling apart at the seams.
Posted by: Peter Sedecombe | July 27, 2008 at 07:48 AM | Report this comment
I agree with Ian, Arsenal are a selling club, and he will leave probably next year and everyone knows as well as i do, anything can happen in football he will probably end up still in the premier with Man utd.
Posted by: Mike Lewis | July 27, 2008 at 07:53 AM | Report this comment
He will go next year probably sell for £28,£33 million and he will end up In Italy or Chelsea or Man UTD.
Posted by: peter pace | July 27, 2008 at 07:57 AM | Report this comment
He is indeed a wonderful player to watch. Passing, tackling, shooting the chap will only get better. Arsenal do play some fantastic football and also have a spectacular ground but they do seem to be falling off the radar in recent years and unfortunately I cant see them competing for the crown of the premiership again. But one thing that concerns me particularly with Arsenal is once the lad has driven out of the ground after training in his 80k plus car he is faced with the real Arsenal which is in fact a ghastly place. We went for an away game last (Chelsea) and even the fans look different (very unwashed and dressed like mechanics)we went for a meal afterwards in the area and my friend had his range rover scratched and another got mugged and had his I phone stolen. Why on earth would any player that earns good money want to go to Arsenal it is the worst place we have ever been to. My friend calls it the toilet of London but I would rather put my head down a loo then ever go there again.
Posted by: Brian Ashford Russell | July 27, 2008 at 08:19 AM | Report this comment
Well Arsenal are what's known as a "selling club" - so, naturally, Francesc Fabregas - just as with every other player at the club - will be available.
I think the Arsenal board would consider a bid of £20m to be a good price for him - after all, you poached him from Barcelona for nothing, so why should Arsenal be greedy and stand in his way of joining a big club? He's proved he can be the big fish in a small pond - now it's time to jump into the sea and win trophies.
Fabregas to leave this summer for £22m - mark my words. That's good money too Arsenal fans, £22m profit - spend it wisely, maybe Wenger can buy a few more 15/16yo's that he'll sell when they become good too.
Posted by: TimmyTooShooz | July 27, 2008 at 08:34 AM | Report this comment
Timmy TooShooz - what are you talking about??? £22m?? i would never sell fabregas and if, and thats a big if, it would be in the region of £70m. i am fed up of Arsenal producing talent and selling for less than other teams sell lesser players. i mean David Bentley is being valued at £20m now, are you suggesting he is on the same level as cesc fabregas.... you are having a laugh! Arsenal are not falling apart at the seams and it would be niave to suggest we are... we were written off last season and prooved critics wrong abiet a poor ending. as long as arsenal pack there stadium we will always be a massive club, i just believe we need more experienced talent and maybe increase our wage structure but still keep it capped but at a higher level to compete with other clubs.
Posted by: Alfie Cleaver | July 27, 2008 at 09:11 AM | Report this comment
Every season we get the same old twoddle, will he stay, will he go? As long as Blatter and Platini are in charge this will never change. We need someone to enforce the meaning of 'contract' and to fine heavily clubs like Chelsea, Man Utd., Real, Barcelona and the likes for illegal approaches. At the moment it's a free for all and if ever any club was lucky enough to be found guilty then all they get fined is a weeks wages. Keep your grubby mits off Ces Fabregas!!!
Posted by: Georger Reid | July 27, 2008 at 09:24 AM | Report this comment
Where are the FIFA and EUFA officials.Blatter and Platini are there for the money only.
This is their job to tell REAL Madrid officially to stop haressing players under contract with another club.First they went for Ronaldo and now when they have no chance they want to creat trouble to Arsenal.Why is it that it is always the same teams
Real, Barcellona, Milan and Inter.
It is about time that the directors of English clubs start being rude to these clubs.
Wake up WENGER, TELL THEM TO F.......
alemess
Posted by: Alex Messina | July 27, 2008 at 09:38 AM | Report this comment
I’m a United fan, but for the love of god I hope he stays at Arsenal. They made him, they need him and so does the premiership
LONG LIVE SIR ALEX
Posted by: Mac | July 27, 2008 at 09:58 AM | Report this comment
all the people who think fabregas is going to go to Chelsea or Man utd are either 12 years old or have been playing too many football management games, its not going to happen in real life. Were not a 'selling club', were simply willing to sell overrated players like hleb (the least effective player in the world), adebayor (bottles it in the big matches) and an ageing henry for large amounts of money. Barcelona or Real Madrid possibly for cesc, but probably not for another season or two
Posted by: John Kitson | July 27, 2008 at 10:00 AM | Report this comment
Blatter and Platini are under REAL payrole
Posted by: Mac | July 27, 2008 at 10:02 AM | Report this comment
Same old Ballacks from Chelsea supporters. Why would Cesc join Chelsea and play boring football. I would remind you that all the players at Chelsea are only there for the money, ask Cashley or Drogba.
I would remind you that AFC have won the league 13 times, Chelsea big club, your not even as little as Spurs, are you going to advertise in the papers to sell seats again this season?
Posted by: Sam Stevens | July 27, 2008 at 10:09 AM | Report this comment
Brian Ashford Russell,
Great post mate!
"the toilet of London" and "very unwashed and dressed like mechanics" are priceless comments!!
I will be laughing at those all day!
P.S. not so funny now is it gooners, Real after your best player instead of ours!
The only difference is, we don't want Ronaldo, whereas you are sunk without Fab!!
Roll on the new season!
Posted by: ant761 | July 27, 2008 at 10:16 AM | Report this comment
Where do these stories come from, Arsenal aint no selling club. We have sold Hleb (9 goals in 3 seasons), Gilberto who has lost his pace, Lehmann who is 40 years old and Flamini who wanted the money and left on a free. If we were a selling club then Ade would have gone for the £24mil that we were offered, so please stop making up these stories and do some real journolisim. Also name 1 player who has left Arsenal that has gone on to do better, Wenger knows when the time is right and I would trust him more than any hack. Cesc has said many times that he will go back to Spain, but only Barca and only after he has done the business with Arsenal, he also knows that he will be the Arsenal captain soon.
Posted by: James Mcfarlane | July 27, 2008 at 10:23 AM | Report this comment