Asked about the rumours linking Arsenal forward and Togo international Emmanuel Adebayor (24) with a summer move to Barcelona (read more here), Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain has confirmed in an interview with British television channel Sky Sports that the player is a candidate in case Eto'o would leave this summer:
"He is one of the biggest strikers in football. There are four or five strikers that could be at our club, and Adebayor is one of those. For us, first we have to sell a player, then we can get another one. Then we will try to get the best player that we can. We are waiting for Eto'o. If we receive a big offer for him then we can study that option."
Begiristain said that Barcelona didn't yet receive formal offers for Eto'o but that several clubs are interested in signing him: "Of course big clubs are interested. But this is not important. First he needs to have an agreement with a club. Samuel has to have an agreement, after this we will start negotiations. But first he has to be happy. If he moves, it'll be to a big club, of course. There are four or five clubs interested."
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is meanwhile quoted by British tabloid The Daily Express as saying that he has no doubts on the continuation of Adebayor: "Emmanuel is 100 per cent commited. He is looking sharp in training. Of course he will stay. I am not worried, not at all. In other positions, we are maybe one player short, but up front we don't need anybody else."
And later today Adebayor himself said to his club's official media that he intends to sign a new deal: "I can tell everyone that I will sign a contract. I have three years left on my contract and we're adding two or three years more, so I'm very happy being part of this family.
When I was holidaying there was a lot of speculation, a lot of people were talking on my behalf which is not me. I have never said I will leave the club. Now I can tell everyone that I will sign a contract. I’m feeling very good here and at the moment my heart is with Arsenal."
Read more:
Ronaldinho's transfer fee reinvested in Adebayor
Drogba, Adebayor or Berbatov
Ronaldinho's transfer fee reinvested in Adebayor
Friday 1 August 2008
Adebayor one of the candidates to replace Eto'o
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He've just renewed his contract with Arsenal so that's good news. Hopefully Eto'o will stay now.
Buy Benzema
Adebayor = Good
Benzema = Great and he is younger he's also not a gamble and one of the best youngsters around
Adebayor will renew, Chelsea doesn't want to let Drogba leave, Benzema will no way move this summer, Ibrahimovich neither.
Now will we honestly take a huge risk and pick the number five (probably Berbatov) or even a lower ranked guy of our list while we have a proven goal scorer in our ranks?
I want to follow you a long way guys, but this could be ten bridges too far. Real men can change their views and admit they were wrong, mister!
With all this air of uncertainty let's make sure we at least know the facts:
FACT: Barcelona want Eto'o "out" in the worst way, even if it means offloading him at a lower price than previously anticipated.
FACT: The Adebayor to Barcelona rumors are going to continue until the transfer window is officially over.
FACT: While the tally of 16 goals in 18 matches may look impressive on Eto'o's resume consider that HALF those goals came against the bottom five teams in La Liga: Valladolid (1), Recreativo Huelva (2), Murcia (3), Levante (3).
Eto'o only had (1) goal against a Top 5 club, (@ Atletico Madrid).
FACT: IF Barcelona do sell Eto'o they will offer Arsenal in excess of 30mil for Adebayor.
FACT: Adebayor or Berbatov will be wearing the 'azulgrana' this coming season.
FACT: David Villa is NOT a candidate to replace Eto'o.
FACT: I AM AN IDIOT! (I just thought I'd get it out of the way first because I know that's what most of you are thinking so I'll save you all the trouble!)
Cojonudo, if you're going to persist in being logical, just leave the room. None of your facts will convince the "keep Eto'o" contingent.
I watched Barca practice today, and Eto'o was very much the man on the outside looking in. He wasn't really taking part in drills, and was one of the "edge" guys during the scrimmages, just putting stray balls back into play.
Adebayor has renewed with Arsenal, so he's a Gunner until 2012, which means the rumors about him leaving will begin anew next summer.
Eto'o comes back from a head injury so he wasn't allowed to participate a lot and certainly had to avoid contacts. So far for your twisted "facts".
who are the five? drogb/ade/berbatov - then who villa and ibrahimovich? if thats true i'm worried as drogba, ade and ibra don't look like moving so that leaves villa who will probably cost too much and not what pep is looking for, and berbatov who is a lazy bastard that won't suit barca. previously i've been for etoo going, yes he is a great player but him leaving would benefit the squad as a whole, but if its a chose between him and berbatov i hope etoo stays and pep sorts him out. alves is good enough crosser for etoo and henry to score. any other suggestions on what they should do or what other options are available?
No, Eto'o was just fine. Fit as a fiddle and moving very well. He did take part in the very spirited keep away drills that began the session. Used his head quite a bit, too. I think he's okay, and he received no special attention from the training staff or medicos.
I can't imagine that Barca would want to risk a player in a full-tilt practice session. You never know, and lots of knocks are picked up in practice.
Sorry if anyone sees anything sinister in what I saw at the session. There could have been lots of reasons for Eto'o's diminished presence.
I cay say that he wasn't part of the very evident fun and camaraderie present during practice. Maybe that's just his way, but that wasn't true of the Nou Camp practice sessions I've been able to watch. He picked up the knock on the 29th, and was told to rest for 48 hours. He should have been ready to roll, and may well have taken part in the earlier practice.
To sjp, I don't see many options that would be better than Eto'o. Ibrahimovic is suddenly fragile, though a great in-the-box striker who showed pretty well at Euros. Haven't heard much about guys being unsettled and the like.
Everyone!!! Wot about Pavluchenko!!! He's not much of a gamble. He showed his ability in Russia and Zenit. He's got good skills, shooting technique and he's good in the air!
Also, he is not lazy, he's always willing to run, therefore he won't get isolated in the 4-3-3 formation like wot sometimes happen to Eto'o before.
so.. why don't Barca get him?
Forget the rest, I think Either Benzema, aedbayor and Pavluchenko are the only, and best choice for CF postion.
Finally we can write Adebayor off the list. It was about time.
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