Manchester United to bid £20m for Arsenal's Nasri?

The "Samir Nasri to Manchester United" story started off looking like just another unrealistic piece of speculative gossip to be thrown on the enormous pile of transfer rumours which end up not to be true. It looked destined for that large, disappointing, ill-informed pile which raise many hopes only to be let down miserably. However, it has, like all good summer transfer stories, built up a lot of momentum - so much so, that reports are emerging that Manchester United are set to bid an impressive £20 million for the Arsenal play maker, as well as meet his wage demands of £130,000 a week in an attempt to persuade the Frenchman out of Arsenal.

With only a year left on his contract, talks between Nasri and Arsenal were said to be ongoing, but Manchester United's interest has remained throughout those talks, and now it seems Sir Alex Ferguson will turn that initial interest into a genuine bid.

I have previously evaluated the likelihood of Nasri leaving Arsenal for Manchester Untied, concluding that despite Nasri's ambition and United's success compared to Arsenal's drought, he would continue talks with Arsenal and decide to stay. This was of course, guesswork mixed with pessimism, but it seems every day that goes by, a deal seems more likely. Perhaps this is why a Nasri move away from Arsenal is made more likely?

Naturally, there is talk on Twitter about this, with Nasri having apparently already had a medical, or one booked for next week at Bridgewater Medical centre, depending on where you look and what you read. Others say, that despite Arsene Wenger's insistence that he would not sell Nasri to United whatever the circumstances, the Arsenal board has over ruled the Arsenal manager because of the amount of money in the prospective Manchester United bid.

Of course, all this talk must be taken with a few pinches of salt, but it will be interesting to see how this develops over the next few days, as we will surely discover if there is actually any truth behind this. 


Meanwhile, as Arsenal try to keep hold of their players, they are also obviously looking to recruit some new ones, and Ricky Alvarez is said to be a player high on Wenger's list. He wrote on his Twitter account the following:

"Me encantaria jugar en el arsenal, seria un sueño para mi! Ojala dios quiera que se concrete!"

Which translates to:

“I would love to play for Arsenal, it would be a dream for me! I pray to God that this becomes true”

Interesting...

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Jermain Defoe a "good signing" for Arsenal

Arsenal have been linked to a whole host of top strikers in the past few weeks, and some names churned up have been more popular than others. Jermain Defoe is a player who strongly divides opinions with Arsenal fans, as some see him as injury prone, up and down, inconsistent form, not a regular goalscorer - and worst of all he plays for Arsenal's arch rivals Tottenham. Others, like Ray Parlour, believe Defoe would be a decent signing for Wenger, who could chip in a good few goals for Arsenal when he is in good form, and pose a real threat up front, with some clinical finishing.

Ray Parlour, the former Arsenal midfielder explained why he thinks Defoe would be a good signing and clever addition to the Arsenal side, despite his Tottenham connection. Essentially, what Parlour says is that Arsenal need a new dimension in their game that will help them to win a trophy. He believes it is a clinical finisher, who Arsene Wenger could rely on to come off the bench when needed to score a goal and win a game. He said:

“They do need a striker. Marouane Chamakh found it difficult (last season). He did well in the early parts of the season but went off the boil a bit.” 

“They should get someone who’s a little bit different, who can score a goal, like an Ian Wright. Jermain Defoe would be a good signing for me. Tottenham fans won’t like it but that’s how it goes these days. I was there when Sol Campbell signed and he was a great player for Arsenal.”

 “What he (Wenger) was trying to say is that when his best side is out, they've got a chance. The problem he’s got is in-depth."

“When his major players get injured, there is not enough quality behind who can come in and do a job. When I was playing, when vital players got injured like Dennis Bergkamp, we still had players who could come in and do a good job. That’s the difference now."

“If Arsenal get their top side out they are a very good side, there’s no doubting that. But if a couple of them get injured, have they got enough back-up? Players like Bendtner and Denilson, can they come in and do a sound job? Last season they had their chances but I don’t think they did."

“That’s what he’s got to look at. He’s got to look at trying to build a squad that, if he does have some suspensions or injuries which you don’t expect, then you can deal with it.”

Defoe is 28 years-old and isn't the tallest of strikers. His injuries restricted his success last season, meaning he only scored 9 goals in 30 games. Perhaps if Arsenal were to have brought him in on the back of a successful season in terms of goalscoring, the fans would be a bit more pleased and confident, but as it is, when Arsenal are linked to prolific goalscorers from last season such as Radamel Falcao and even Peter Odemwingie, Defoe doesn't seem much of a step up.

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A Look At United & Arsenal Target Thiago Alcântara

When obviously talented footballers, particularly young ones, have an impressive tournament or good few games, they are routinely linked to the top clubs. But when that "link" turns into a reported bid, which is the case with Barcelona's 20 year-old midfielder, Thiago Alcântara, it starts to get interesting. Yes, Manchester United have apparently made a £15 million offer for Alcântara, who impressed during Spanish under-21 European Championship campaign in which they predictably won the trophy with a very talented side.

Paul Scholes's style of play was often compared to the Spanish style, with slick and accurate passing, doing the simple things right nearly all of the time, and keeping the ball in the midfield perfectly. It is well known that United are looking for a replacement for Scholes, and now instead of having a player (of extreme quality) who is similar to a Spainiard, they can have the real thing, in a much younger form. Alcântara has a big future, but where his future lies will most probably be decided in the coming months.

According to some reports, Barcelona have offered Alcântara as part of a player plus cash deal for Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, as they look to save some money after spending about £35 million or more on Alexis Sanchez of Udinese. Alcântara would be a good fit at Arsenal, with their passing style, but Arsenal seem keen to hold onto their captain, and would only be likely to let go of Fabregas for money - more than what Barcelona have offered them. Perhaps if Barcelona were to sell Alcântara to United, they could raise enough money to please Arsenal with a decent bid for Fabregas.

So why is there so much interest in this 20 year-old Spanish midfielder, born in Italy to a Brazilian father called Mazinho who was a World Cup winner with his nation back in 1994? Well, first of all, he's Spanish, and has been in Barcelona's system since he was 14 years-old. That in itself is a very good start. He has clearly been brought up with football every day at a young age thanks to his father, and in his time in the Barcelona ranks will have learned the Spanish way of passing, moving and keeping the ball as well as all of the tricks and particulars that they thoroughly teach. But from what I have seen, he is doing what potential stars must always do - translate the football knowledge and love of football into performances on the field.

He has fantastic technique; his goal in the European Championship Under 21 final against Switzerland from 40 yards out showcases that in him, and he has a great range of passing. He has the ability and agility to squirm out of difficult situations when players have surrounded him, and will usually find a team mate from there - it seems to come natural to him.

He has quick and tricky feet, with a clever mind and vision to match, allowing him to set up attacks from very little, and he has the mature ability to know when not to try something too ambitious - doing the simple things well, such as passing and creating. In simple terms, he is the guy in the middle you pass to when you want something to happen. He is definitely a talent, and in his 20 first team Barcelona games, has scored four and assisted 3.

It's easy to get carried away with a young talent such as this, as I have shown before, so I'll slow down with some possible problems he could encounter with English football (and then counter them with good points). First of all, the matches I have seen of him have mostly been in the under 21 European Championships, which may flatter him, playing against younger, less developed and experienced players. The immediate step up to English football playing in the middle as the vital play maker in either the Manchester United or Arsenal side would certainly be a big challenge, though it can be said that he has impressed with the Barcelona first team, and they are currently the best team in Europe.

Another problem that has been mentioned is his height. He is quite small, standing at 5 feet and 7 inches, and it has been queried whether he could get crowded out in physical games in England. Lets put this into perspective; Andres Iniesta and Xavi are both 5 ft 7 inches, so Alcântara is taller than them both, and they coped fine in the Champions League final against United, and Paul Scholes is the same height as Alcântara, and we all know how succesful his United career was for almost 20 years.

Probably the only real, big issue, along with the risk of Alcântara not settling in England, is that, like Arsenal's Fabregas, he may look for a return to his beloved Barca later in his career. That will be an unwanted and irritating burden on United, who have already gone through a similar transfer saga with Cristiano Ronaldo a few years back, but like Ronaldo, United or Arsenal could end up getting the best out of Alcântara, and selling him back to Barcelona for a large profit - it wouldn't be such a bad deal after all.

While he may not be an immediate replacement for Paul Scholes, he has everything it takes to be that man in the near future, and if Arsenal want him to replace either Nasri or Fabregas, he is equally as capable. Now all they need to do is persuade Barcelona to let him go. 

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Arsenal Bid £18m for Juan Mata

Arsenal have placed an £18 million bid for the Spanish midfielder Juan Mata, which would smash Arsenal's transfer record, as Wenger follows through with his claim for an active transfer window. The Daily Mail claim an exclusive, in which they state that the player is happy to discuss his future away from current club Valencia.

Ridden with debt, Valencia have been unloading some of their top players for the last few seasons, with David Villa sold to Barcelona and David Silva to Manchester City, both for big fees. Now it seems, Juan Mata will provide the club with much need money to help to pay off the debts, as £18 million seems a substantial offer for the 23 year-old midfielder.

Mata played a key part in the Spanish Under-21 European Championship win in the past few weeks, and there was huge interest in him from scouts from all over the world, but Arsenal have moved ahead of them all with an apparent solid bid.

Liverpool are very keen on the youngster, but the lure of Chapions League football will probably sway Mata towards an Arsenal move, even though Liverpool would have no problems in matching Valencia's apparent £21 million asking price.

Arsene Wenger is prepared it seems to pay well over the current Arsenal transfer record of Andrey Arshavin, who cost the club £13 million. It is a big move for Wenger who has come under increasing pressure to change his transfer policy and spend some real money on quality players, and with Mata's versatility of being able to play both in the middle and on the wing as well as a good assist rate, this would be a very impressive signing of attacking intent from the Arsenal manager.

In 33 La Liga games last season, Mata scored eight and assisted 12. The Spanish style of play which Mata has learned whilst in the Spanish international squad, and which comes naturally to many Spaniards would fit well with Wenger's Arsenal style, so Wenger will be hoping Arsenal are the players first choice, especially as the manager looks to avoid any big bidding wars for the player.
Mata's agent - his father said before the European Championships finished:

"Until after the Euro, we won't listen to anybody. After that, we're willing to listen to all offers we receive."

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Man United - £200k a Week Contract For Sneijder

Ashley Young and Phil Jones are already done deals for Manchester United, with the Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea soon to follow now that his successful European Under-21 campaign is over. But will anyone else follow them through the Old Trafford doors to be welcomed by a warm handshake from Sir Alex Ferguson? A central midfielder is expected from the fans, and United's interest in several players in that position has been well documented, Wesley Sneijder included, and it has emerged today that there is only one real stumbling block - and it isn't the £35 million asking price.

No, Manchester United have the money in the bank to afford such a signing, and are prepared to splash the cash to replace Paul Scholes. £35 million for the 27 year-old Dutchman is certainly expensive, and would be United's record signing above Dimitar Berbatov, but Sir Alex Ferguson would be willing to spend that amount on the Inter Milan star, who has proven himself at the very top level in Italy, in Europe and at the World Cup. Sir Alex is a known fan.

The problem here though, is Sneijder's demands of £200,000 per week - £30,000 more than he earns with Inter. Another slight problem is that United are not the only club interest, because their Manchester rivals City are, and would have no problems in paying those wages. Sneijder is said to prefer a move to United though, so if there was a straight choice for the attacking midfielder, United would surely be the winner, even if the wages offered were slightly lower.

Manchester United's current top earner is Wayne Rooney - his highly publicised contract saga ending with him receiving a contract worth £180,000 a week plus another £90,000 for image rights, equalling £250,000 a week. United are clearly willing to spend big on their most important and most valuable players, and Sneijder would certainly be classed as an important an valuable player if he were to join United.

Ashley Young will be receiving around £130,000 a week when he starts playing for United which raised a few eyebrows among United fans who weren't expecting a signing who plays on the wing. Sir Alex has his reasons, and Young is added to the United wage bill which stands at £132 million a year, but will Sneijder?

There has been a huge rise in footballers wages ever since 1961, when the Football League decided to abolish the wage cap, allowing the then England captain Johnny Haynes become the first £100 a-week player. Clubs have since tried to maintain their own club wage caps, but very few last in modern football, with the biggest and best players demanding astronomical salaries, giving the players the ability to hold their clubs to ransom over a contract.

In 2000, 39 years after the wage cap was removed, Roy Keane became Manchester United's top earner, on £52,000 a week and just four years later, he was on almost double that amount, with him being paid £100,000 per week. It has been a rapid growth, and with more and more investors willing to pay the money, wages will continue to grow - and continue to become a problem for prospective buying clubs such as United.

If United have made Sneijder their number one target it is true, £200,000 may be an issue, but United could pay that amount if it came to it. Of course, if a bid for Sneijder is accepted by Inter, it will be down to the player as to how much he will accept to leave for in wages. Other midfield targets could prove cheaper weekly, with Luka Modric currently earning £50,000 at Tottenham, Samir Nasri earning £80,000 a week at Arsenal and Bastien Schweinsteiger earning just under £100,000 at Bayern Munich.

This Paul Scholes replacement will come at a price, both in a transfer fee and in a weekly wage. Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking for value for money, and it is up to Sir Alex to decide if £200,000 a week and £35 million provides him with the value. What do you think?

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Ricky Alvarez Deal - Inter Bid For Arsenal Target

Inter Milan have challenged Arsenal's bid for Argentinian midfielder Ricardo Alvarez, soon after Roma pulled out of the race for the 23 year-old's signature.

SkySports say that Inter Milan, the Italian giants, have placed a bid of €12 million (£10.6 million) to challenge Arsenal's bid, which is thought to be around €10 million (£8.9 million). Arsenal were previously thought to be favourites to sign Alvarez, but Inter will have moved ahead in the race, with their bid closer to Vélez Sársfields €15 million asking price.

The news comes after Roma confirmed they had pulled out of a deal to sign the attacking midfielder, with whom they had arranged a pre-contract agreement. The Roma director of sport Walter Sabatini revealed that they were involved in a pre-contract agreement with Alvarez, but the asking price is "a bit much" considering his lack of first team experience at the top level. He confirmed:

"It's true we had a pre-contract agreement, but €15 million for Alvarez is a bit much. I believe a player should be paid what he is worth.

"Alvarez was born in 1988 and has room for improvement, but it's also fair to say he hasn't played very much in the first team."

The players agent meanwhile, Marcello Simonian, was giving nothing away as to the whereabouts of Alvarez's future, but gave only a large hint that the player is indeed destined for a European move:

"I can only say that the footballer is prepared to play at a big European club."

He scored 4 goals in 36 appearances last season, but it his versatility that has attracted Arsenal's eye. Apparently he can play in any position in the midfield, and although not an immediate starter would add depth to the Arsenal. 

With rumours continuing to spread relating to the future of two of Arsenal's main mid-fielders in Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, it may be understandable that Arsenal would be looking for possible replacements. However, the fact that Arsenal were linked to a move for Alvarez before speculation begun about the future of Nasri suggests that Alvarez interests Wenger as a future regular rather than immediate starter. 

Arsenal shouldn't have to fight to hard with Velez Sarsfield to persuade them to let go of their player, with the president Fernando Raffaini saying he was ready to sell Ricardo Alvarez for "financial peace of mind" whilst stating the future of Alvarez would be down to the players own decision. Though Wenger will be wary not to involve himself in a bidding war with Inter, because we all know that is something Wenger would love to avoid.

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"EL MEJOR CUMPLEAÑOS DE LEO"

Wenger Blamed - Nasri Talks Ongoing

Arsenal are beginning to show signs of life in the transfer window this summer, with imminent transfers said to be in place; Lille's Gervinho, and the Argentine midfielder Ricky Alvarez said to be close, as well as moves for defenders such as Chris Samba and Gary Cahill expected from Wenger.

However, it wasn't like this in the past few transfer windows for Arsenal, and many have been highly critical as a result. The latest critic of Wenger's transfer policy is Perry Groves, the former Arsenal midfielder, who signed for the London club back in 1986. He told TalkSport:

“The frustrating thing is [the Premier League] was Arsenal’s to win last year."

“But because they didn’t have the dominant centre-half which they could have gone and got in January that’s why [they didn’t win the league] and that’s why Arsene’s policy over two or three years has been proven wrong."

“There has been two phases when Arsene Wenger has been in charge. On the pitch from 1996-2004 that is how you structure a football team. Off the pitch from 2005-2011 is how you structure a football club, going from Highbury to the Emirates."

“Arsenal fans, the real die-hard ones, want trophies and that is the real be all and end all of how you’re judged as a football club manager.”

A trophy is exactly what Arsenal need next season to appease the frustrated fans, who may soon be approaching seven or eight years without any silverware, with the last piece coming in 2005 when the FA Cup was won. However, to have a chance to win a trophy, Arsenal will need to keep hold of their best players, and that includes Samir Nasri, who has been flirting with the idea of leaving Arsenal recently.

Talks are ongoing between the players representatives and the club, with the latest negotiations looking more positive than before. Nasri is still holding out for an increase in his wages, and a better deal than the £80,000 a week being offered in a five year-deal, but he is also waiting to see how Wenger acts in the transfer market.

Clubs are circling over Nasri, watching intently the progression of negotiations, preparing to pounce at any time, and with some of he biggest clubs around Europe said to be interested, including Arsenal's Premier League rivals, Manchester United. Nasri is ambitious, and wants to win trophies, so he needs the guarantee from Arsenal that, with new players purchases, the club will be real challengers for trophies.

Everyone involved would rather this saga was resolved sooner rather than later, as it is one of those transfers that could run seemingly endlessly throughout the window.

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"FELICIDADES LEO"

Leo Messi celebrará hoy su 24 cumpleaños, con actos solidarios en la localidad de San Juan y más tarde rodeado de su familia. Su madre Celia le ha preparado una tarta especial, en una celebración íntima del mejor futbolista del mundo en su casa de Rosario.

Para un día especial, Leo pedirá tres deseos personales, con la esperanza de verlos cumplidos: los grandes anhelos de Messi son conquistar ahora la Copa América con la albiceleste, lograr un Mundial y repetir en la temporada 2011-12 los títulos logrados con el Barça.

"Quiero seguir sumando títulos con el Barcelona. Me gustaría ganar otra vez la Champions y repetir también la Liga", dijo a MD el mejor jugador del planeta, sin haberse apagado aún los ecos del gran año logrado con el equipo de Pep Guardiola. Leo también aseguró que "mi aspiración ahora es ganar con mi selección la Copa América, que es el sueño de todos los argentinos". Tal es el ansia de Messi de hacer historia en casa –el torneo se llevará a cabo en el país del tango del 1 al 24 de julio próximo– que en su muro de Facebook ha destacado también que "estamos con muchas ganas de conseguir ese trofeo que tanto deseamos", sobre todo después de que la albiceleste no pasó de cuartos en la Copa del Mundo de 2010.

El astro del FC Barcelona conquistó el Mundial Sub'20 de Holanda en 2005 y la medalla de oro en los Juegos Olímpicos de Pekín-2008 formando parte de la Sub'23 de Argentina. Ahora irá a por su primer gran título absoluto, siempre como antesala de un Mundial que perseguirá hasta incluirlo en su palmarés: "Yo sé que en algún momento voy a ganar ese Mundial que tanto quiero. Es mi gran deseo", reitera Leo.

Regalará felicidad y obsequios

Cada cosa a su tiempo. Para empezar, hoy toca celebrar su aniversario, a siete días del debut de la albiceleste en la Copa América ante Bolivia, en La Plata.

A Leo le esperan a mediodía en San Juan, tocando los Andes. Llegará en jet privado y como embajador de la Fundación que lleva su nombre. Visitará el Hospital de Niños y la Escuela-Hogar José Manuel Estrada, llevado ilusión y regalos a los pequeños ingresados.

El día de su aniversario, Leo ha querido mostrar su vertiente más solidaria, dando él obsequios en vez de recibirlos. Aparte, participará en la grabación de un anuncio en el Estadio del Bicentenario, una de las sedes de la Copa América y donde contestará a las preguntas que le quieran formular los 'pibes' allí congregados, con los que peloteará.

Una vez repartida la felicidad entre los más necesitados, Messi volará hacia Rosario, para pasar una horas con sus padres, hermanos y allegados.

"DESDE BARCELONAFC TE DESEAMOS FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS LEO"

Owen Hargreaves - Waste of Manchester United Money? No Chance.

Owen Hargreaves may soon be heading to America in an attempt to play some football in the MLS, with Toronto FC apparently chasing the free agent's signature. Here, I have a look at whether Owen Hargreaves was, like some people say, a Manchester United failure, or a hugely underrated but also massively unfortunate member of a widely successfully double winning season in 2008.

Just over four years ago, on July 9th 2007, Manchester United had unveiled their new midfield signing, English international, Owen Hargreaves from Bayern Munich in a £17 million deal. It was set to be the start of something new, and something different in the middle of the midfield for United, something that would be successful and title winning for Sir Alex Ferguson. It did, start so well, with Hargreaves winning his second Champions League medal in his first season with United as well as a Premier League medal, but alas, it went drastically and miserably downhill from there.

Today, four years on from his signing, and Owen Hargreaves has the sympathy of many a football fan, being released by United into the footballing wilderness and left looking for a new club or perhaps staring blankly at premature retirement. It is very sad to see, that such a technically gifted player who could have achieved so much more at the top level, just didn't have the required fitness levels and injury resistance to survive for longer. If only his knees worked. If only those pivotal hinge joints, the biggest and most complex joints in the human body, the knees held out for longer. After all, they are quite important for a footballer.

Hargreaves managed 39 appearances for Manchester United during his four season spell at Old Trafford, with 34 of them coming in his first and most successful season in England. Really, it was the only actual season Hargreaves spent at Manchester United, because most of his time in his last three seasons was in numerous expert hospitals around the world, having his various injuries looked at in an attempt to cure them. Just to emphasise how unfortunate the guy is, Wayne Rooney, Manchester United striker since 2004, has played more games in each season he has been at United than Hargreaves had done in his whole United career.

Injuries wasted this mans career, and ruined his four year contract. United paid £17 million for his signature, and got only a season out of him, whilst having to pay his wages, which allows critics to blast United for paying over the odds on a player who was hardly fit enough to manage a whole season. It allows some cynics to claim that Hargreaves was a complete waste of money for Manchester United, and will go down as one of Sir Alex Ferguson's worst buys alongside Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba, Diego Forlan and Bebe. 

I think, that this assumption is completely unfair, unworthy, and fails to acknowledge Hargreaves's achievements as a Manchester United player as well as those possible achievements if the injuries had not stood defiantly in his way. There is absolutely no arguing at all that Hargreaves was a big part of Manchester United's Premier League season in 2007-08, with 23 appearances. He was, as ever, gritty, hard working, the "engine" as some called him in the midfield, and a non stop worker who would win the ball and help to keep it. He scored 2 Premier League goals that season, one you may remember which was the winner against Arsenal in which he curled the free-kick over the Arsenal wall as it flew gracefully into the corner at Old Trafford.

Then, in every Champions League game he played, he was just as important, using his deceptive pace on the right hand side occasionally to whip in some very dangerous crosses as well as being his usual athletic, disciplined and determined self in all other areas. His penalty in the final against Chelsea was perfect; unstoppably placed beautifully into the top corner on United's way to winning the unbearably tense shoot-out.

Make no mistake, Owen Hargreaves had his fair share of big contributions to that season with Manchester United. While Hargreaves may have cost £17 million, he helped United win over £85 million from Champions League prize money as well as around £15 million from coming first in the Premier League, United didn't do so bad in Hargreaves first year financially. 

Some may persist in saying that £17 million was too much of a risk on a player like this, who had known injury troubles, and they may  have a case, but to say that United made a mistake in signing Hargreaves is not a view I would have any time for. In fact, the players only failing was his fitness, and there was very little he could do about that, with this being pretty much only to do with huge bad luck and nothing else.

Now a free agent, Hargreaves is a player many clubs will be cautiously looking at from a distance. Not because of a lack of quality, but simply because of his injury issues. Any club would be very lucky to have a fit Hargreaves playing in their midfield, as he possesses a quality very rare in modern English internationals, and that is the passion, determination and hard working nature to do anything it takes to win the game. He is very versatile, strong, solid in defence and dangerous in attack and always reliable. All of those qualities he showed in his first season with United, and was a credit to himself in his performances considering he was playing through the pain.

On a pay as you play deal, which is what he is willing to have, Hargreaves would be a fine player to have waiting in the squad for an opportunity. Personally, I think it would be best for him to hang up his boots now, and give those knees a rest, but whatever he does, I wish him well, and thank him for his service for Manchester United, respecting and acknowledging what a tough time he had in the treatment room.

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"REFORZAR LA PLANTILLA,PERO NO A CUALQUIER PRECIO"

Reforzar la plantilla, sí. A cualquier precio, no. Éste es el mensaje que ha transmitido Josep Guardiola a los responsables del área deportiva blaugrana del primer equipo antes de marcharse de vacaciones. El primer equipo necesita tres o cuatro fichajes de primer orden para poder atender con garantías todos los frentes competitivos de la temporada 2011-12 y Pep tiene muy definidos qué futbolistas serían los ideales para reforzar determinadas posiciones y ofrecer más variantes tácticas.

Pero eso no quiere decir que el club tenga que entrar en una subasta interminable con otros clubs o que cada contratación se deba convertir en un culebrón sin solución. El técnico le ha ratificado nuevamente que está en absoluta sintonía con la política del club y las decisiones que tomen al respecto Josep Maria Bartomeu y Andoni Zubizarreta, encaminadas a pagar un precio ajustado por los futbolistas y no protagonizar una subasta.

Hasta el momento, todos los procesos de negociación se han visto ralentizados por las elevadas pretensiones económicas de todos los clubs. Si en los casos de fichajes de futuro, como Andrada, José Ángel o Araujo, el Barça ha tenido que detener las negociaciones, en los refuerzos de primer orden la situación no es diferente.

Así, la contratación de Alexis Sánchez, que parecía la más adelantada, se ha visto frenada al combinarse las peticiones del Udinese (50 millones de euros) con la oferta del Manchester City, algo superior a la blaugrana. El Barça pone sobre la mesa 28 millones, a los que se unirían otros conceptos como cinco millones más en variables en función del rendimiento del futbolista si se viste de blaugrana, cuatro más en el que se estimaría el valor de traspaso de un joven canterano, la participación en el Trofeu Joan Gamper y la disputa de un segundo amistoso.

La situación es muy similar en el caso de Giuseppe Rossi, otro jugador que se contemplaba como un excelente refuerzo para la delantera blaugrana pero que se ha encontrado con el obstáculo de las exigencias económicas del Villarreal. Mientras que el Villarreal pide 30 millones de euros por el pase del delantero italo-norteamericano, sin ningún tipo de condicionantes, el Barça pone sobre la mesa 17 millones a los que se podrían añadir hasta otros diez millones más, en función de diferentes conceptos como objetivos y títulos. Las diferencias son tan acusadas en este caso que las negociaciones se han quedado absolutamente estancadas por el momento pese a que el futbolista deseaba dar el salto al Camp Nou.

Y después está el caso de Cesc Fàbregas un futbolista que es considerado como imprescindible de cara al futuro a medio plazo por sus características tan determinadas. El problema vuelve a ser el mismo; el capitán del Arsenal desea regresar al Barça y desde la entidad londinense Arsène Wenger le ha asegurado que está dispuesto a aceptar su salida. Sin embargo, los 40 millones que reclaman los `gunner¿ es vista desde las oficinas de Arístides Maillol como una barbaridad.

Zubizarreta y Bartomeu tienen al tanto de todas las novedades a Guardiola que es consciente de que la economía del club no está capacitada para soportar grandes apretones. Es más, ni el técnico ni el club quieren entrar en una política de fichajes que implique un despilfarro absurdo teniendo en cuenta que hablamos de la plantilla campeona de Europa, por más que todos reconozcan que es demasiado corta.

Por tanto, la consigna que han asumido todos en 'can Barça' es paciencia y trabajo pero sin ponerse presiones añadidas que solo jugarían a favor de los clubs vendedores. El hecho de que los jugadores quieran vestirse de blaugrana es un factor que a la larga podría jugar a favor de Guardiola.