Barcelona midfielder Xavi insists he never meant to offend Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger over comments made about Cesc Fabregas. Wenger believed Xavi had been "very disrespectful" for suggesting his Spanish team-mate was suffering as he waits to find out whether the two clubs can agree a deal for him to return to Barca. Xavi now wants to draw a line under the matter rather than risk a war of words with the Gunners boss. He told As: "We know Cesc wants to come and I said he was suffering. I was selfishly looking at the interests of Cesc. I didn't want to offend Arsenal or Arsene Wenger." "I think the controversy is absurd and I don't want to get involved in a war of words with Arsene Wenger." Fabregas came through Barca's youth academy at the same time as World Player of the Year Lionel Messi before joining Arsenal in September 2003 at the age of 16. Wenger has said he wants to keep his captain and is trying to convince Fabregas that it is not the right time for him to leave England. But while Arsenal refused to negotiate with Barcelona when they came calling for Fabregas last summer, the Gunners have opened talks this time around, although the Catalan giants have so far fallen short of the English outfit's asking price. Xavi added: "I don't really know the situation but it seems they are more disposed to sell this year than last year. "Maybe we can be a bit more optimistic [this year] but it depends on reaching an agreement with Arsenal." --- Not only a world-class footballer, he's a world-class douche as well
i feel sorry for you guys, its obvious you dont want to sell he is contracted to you and have stated a figure you deem to value him at, i just think you should be coming out more clear and saying its £40 million or be exact with the figure and say unless your willing to pay this fee stay quiet about our player, put up or shut up, barca are trying to get fab on the cheap i for one pray if u do sell you dont cave in to a lower demand.
Cesc should be sold if he wants to leave - but to the highest bidder. I would love to see him 'forced' to join Real Madrid for £40 mil!!
winifred122 that would be amazing, lol , imagine it bara bid 30 mill real bid 40 barca bid rejected and its either real or stay, i think he would stay.
wenger stated that he start a bidding war but wont do for cesc. we value him at 40-45mil and wont sell for less. barca value say villa at 35mil would they sell for say 10 mil less???? thats what they are trying to do with us
If Barca cannot meet our cash valuation, then we should negotiate a deal to dictate the player swaps on our terms
Guys. You are all commenting on what the papers want you to believe. Look on the Independent website, one of the comments is by somebody who saw the interview with Xavi. The Press were trying to get him to answer about Cesc straight away, and he said THEY were being absurd. Apparently he didn't want to answer questions, and of course his words have been twisted. Please don't make the mistake of believing what you read without questioning it! "Andy_culer 8 hours ago Please, Arsenal fans, do not believe the headline here. I've just seen the press conference. It was the first question fired at him. And while the journalist was trying to entice him into saying someting "bad" against Mr Wenger, he was saying "it's absurd" as he shook his head. When the journalist finished he clarified: "I don't want to get into an argument with Wenger, that is absurd. I did not mean to offend either Arsenal or Wenger, I just had Cesc's benefit in my mind, but I really didn't want to offend such an institution as Arsenal." And after that complete and (presumably) sincere apology, the headline says that he considered Wenger's reaction "absurd", thereby pouring some more fuel into the fire. Please, journalists, stop stirring trouble." http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...er-criticism-is-absurd-says-xavi-2317461.html
Thats fair enough mas, but i dont think its the reading into the media hype that really annoys me, its the fact that Barcelona PLAYERS regardless of the content of what they said are commenting about another teams player. Its a distinct lack of respect at the end of the day and lets be fair although it woud seem on this occasion that Xavi has apologised, over the last 2 seasons we have had numerous other barcelona squad players making comments about cesc. Xavi aside it just shows Barcelona up for what they really are, bunch of prima donnas who when they dont get their own start using underhanded tactics and showing total disdain for anyone they annoy. If they want Cesc then front up the money, End of. and stop adding to this pointless media circus
Theo, Piskie. I just created an article on this board but when I tried to add a poll it said "Sorry, this thread is closed" (or words to that effect). :-/
But I'm saying that they might not ACTUALLy be saying these things..and maybe people should look at the source before they judge, rather than a paper with an ulterior motive (ie to sensationalize and sell more copies). I'm saying they might actually not be saying these things that The Sun etc publish, and 'quality' papers copy. Why is the same story in every paper? Did they all mis-hear Xavi? or did one paper run it and the rest of them copy it on a day with little news? What happened to the supposed 'agreement' we made with Barca last year to sell Cesc this year.. maybe there wasnt one and they're hoping nobody remembers?
