Well, well, it looks like things are beginning to happen.
The Times is reporting that we’ve told Chelsea we want £25m for Ashley Cole. Not unreasonable considering how much they’ve paid for other players and Cole’s standing in the game (as a player). Cole will be unhappy they say as Arsenal told him he could leave for £16m but as I mentioned last week no such clause appears in his contract.
It would be hilarious if there was a verbal agreement like that and now Arsenal are just doing it to piss off Cole and Barnett but I doubt that.
The Sun says we asked for William Gallas as part of a swap deal but Chelsea weren’t having any of it and offered Shaun Wright-Phillips instead. Arsenal said ‘No thanks’, supposedly.
Anyway, what it shows is that there’s movement. I’d expect a bit of public posturing for a day or two and then for the little twat to be sold to Chelsea which is exactly what he and his agent have wanted all along. A fee of around £20m would be quite acceptable and we can use that money to pay off the new stadium debt paint the concrete a lovely magnolia invest in the squad which is going to look a bit threadbare after Cole’s departure.
Cole can then release his book and watch himself go from somebody who was loved by all Arsenal fans to probably one of the most despised ex-Arsenal players in the game. At least he and his agent will have more money though because that’s what it’s all about. Money, money, money. I am reminded of a song.
What’s the colour of money? What’s the colour of money? Don’t tell me that you think it’s green, me I know it’s
redblue. Blue is the colour …
Now that Dennis Bergkamp has left Robin van Persie has spoken, not for the first time, about how much he’s learned from the great man. He says:
When I see how he lives, it’s a great example – he’s a different human being. The way he does it is, it’s fantastic on and off the pitch. He helped me a lot.
Regular readers will know I have high hopes for Robin. I think he needs a good run in the team and to feel confident about his place and I’m sure he’ll deliver. Being in and out, not necessarily because of form but because of injury, is what, I think, makes him just a bit too keen to impress at the expense of his team play.
Hopefully he can sort that out because I think he’s a 15-20 goal a season striker if he plays enough games.
Not much else happening. I’m expecting the arrival of the first of those 10 signings any minute now.
