Are Arsenal supposed to rest easy after a Barcelona official claimed they were not interested in signing the Dutchman?
Barcelona spokesperson Toni Freixa said this week: “For Barca any good player is of interest, and Van Persie is a great player. But no intention of signing him for now.”
Hmmm. Did they not say last March that they would not break the bank for Cesc Fabregas before splashing out £35 million on him?
Even after that the Spaniards admitted they ‘did not have the best relationship’ with Arsenal and it is easy to see why.
While Arsenal have poached youngsters from their youth team over the years, Fabregas, Merida, and most recently Jon Toral, Barcelona have seen Arsenal as a happy hunting ground over the past 15 years.
Just look at this Arsenal to Barcelona sales record, you would think the Gunners would be offering Barcelona a discount by now. Perhaps they could chuck Bendtner in with the next deal for free?
Emmanuel Petit- sold in 2000 for £5 million
Marc Overmars- sold in 2000 for £30 million
Giovanni van Bronckhorst – sold in 2003 for £3 million
Thierry Henry – sold in 2007 for £16.1 million
Alexander Hleb – sold in 2009 for £11.8 million
Cesc Fabregas – sold in 2011 for £35 million
In total, £95.9 million recouped by Arsenal, but a whole lot of pain seeing their stars leave, even Alexander Hleb, although he clearly now regrets making the decision.
Robin van Persie’s future is completely up in the air with his refusal to speak publicly about a new contract.
Barcelona’s denial of interest is akin to the dreaded vote of confidence for a manager, don’t trust it. Their words say one thing, their actions speak another.
They are probably getting Van Persie’s Dutch teammate Ibrahim Afellay to tap him up as we speak. A friendly chat at a hotel?
Van Persie should have been checked when leaving for a contract offer sticking out of his tracksuit pocket.
If the past 15 years has taught Arsenal one lesson, it is ‘do not trust Barcelona.’
They may be a fine source of income, but they will drain the Gunners best talent and leave them floundering to rebuild, with the ‘team in transition’ excuse at the ready.
Chelsea’s assault on the Champions League has placed added importance on finishing third, and with the Gunners facing a trip to an always tricky Britannia Stadium to face Stoke City this weekend, any slip up could see them lose initiative.
If their defeat to Barcelona showed anything, it is that without David Villa, Barcelona lack a plan B. Their resolve to sign a world class striker will gather apace this summer, and Arsenal’s Dutchman will be on their shortlist whether they admit it or not.
Fail to qualify for next year’s Champions League and Pep Guardiola will come marching up to the Emirates personally with a chequebook and a one-way plane ticket for Van Persie.
Even if they do, expect more cloak and dagger denials, tapping up, and undervalued bids.
Until Van Persie signs that contract, the ghosts of big name deserters will continue to haunt the Emirates.
Will he stay or will he go? Do you trust Barcelona’s denials?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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