Say what you like about Cristiano Ronaldo, he can only dream of
being as overrated as Emmanuel Adebayor has been this summer.
He is younger, faster, more skilful, versatile, prolific and of
course marketable - and considering he is just 23 years of age to
the great Zinedine Zidane's 29 at the time of his transfer from
Juventus to Real Madrid, the Manchester United ace, if he leaves,
should logically break the world record transfer fee.
Let any and every comparison and mention of Ronaldo end there, as
meanwhile, an equally dubious transfer saga has almost slipped by
unnoticed, that being of Adebayor.
Having signed for the Gunners in January 2006 from AS Monaco for an
undisclosed fee reported to be in the region of £3 million,
Adebayor had a modest beginning to his Arsenal career, before a
disappointing World Cup campaign - in which the supposed star of
Togo was outshone by team-mate Mohamed Kader - was followed by an
unfulfilling season at Arsenal in 2006-07. The striker scored just
12 goals in 44 games - just over one in four - about half the
return expected of a top class striker.
He's still young, he has potential, he needs time, Arsene
knows - what haven't we heard before? What was most surprising
is that he did in fact come good, and far sooner than anyone had
expected. Thierry Henry, club icon and personal friend of Adebayor,
left the club due to on and off-field problems, with Barcelona his
choice of location for a fresh start. That, coupled with Robin van
Persie's continued love affair with the treatment table and new
signing Eduardo da Silva being eased into life at the Emirates,
made Adebayor the focal point of all of Arsenal's attacks.
It was a role he relished, hammering home a fantastic 30 goals in
48 games. Following words of caution from manager Arsene Wenger -
who pointed out that he still misses many chances - the Togo
international said he was aiming for 40 next season. Then the
interest began rolling in. The man known as the Togonator has been
targeted by European demigods Barcelona and Milan this summer - at
first laughed off as paper talk - but as quotes from club officials
began emerging, Adebayor's overstated loyalty was well and truly
put to the test.
Milan chief Adriano Galliani's obsession with the tall, dark
stranger has traversed borders of uncomfortable obsession
previously reserved for Ashley Cole and mobile phones - and with
little reason. The 24-year-old did manage a goal in their Champions
League tie this season, but it was into a near-empty net with
seconds remaining and the game already over. Having already
obtained Mathieu Flamini, the key to the Gunners' Milanese triumph
in March, on a free transfer, the Rossoneri seemed
determined to throw the saved money away on the Togonator.
However, failure to qualify for the Champions League has left the
2007 winners strapped for cash and unable to meet Mr Wenger's
dubious asking price, yet there is ongoing interest from Barcelona.
While Italy was said to be Ade's preferred destination, it seems
Barcelona will do just as well, as the likelihood of his exit
continues to escalate with Arsene Wenger fed up of the striker's
demands. Speculation is only likely to let up if Barça, Milan and
any others lurking recover some semblance of rationality and refuse
to pay so far over the odds for a striker that is still largely
unproven.
Better options exist for both clubs: Didier Drogba may be six years
Adebayor's senior, but advancing years have been more of a
prerequisite than a stumbling block for Milan, while Barcelona have
enough emerging young stars to realistically compensate for such a
short-term option. Samuel Eto'o, the man looking to be replaced at
Barcelona, has been incredibly prolific during his five seasons
with the club and could prove a viable and cheaper option for
Milan. Adebayor cannot even consider himself in the same league as
Mario Gomez and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - at least until he has
repeated his form for at least one further season - so how is he
worth £30 million? How is he deserving of a salary in the same
bracket or even the same currency as Thierry Henry?
Whether early senility is settling in for Arsene Wenger or just
bitterness over Flamini and the reportedly impending departure of
Aliaksandr Hleb, this transfer saga would almost be better
explained as the Frenchman playing the world's most protracted
practical joke on us all. If Barcelona are offering anything
anywhere near £30 million, Wenger should take the money and run.
Despite the odd Francis Jeffers and Jose Antonio Reyes, the
Professor generally spends money better than most, and provided
goal-machine Eduardo da Silva recovers full fitness early on this
season, Adebayor could be replaced for half his asking price - at
most - with very little difficulty, and the remainder of the money
could be used to shore up the defence or replace Mathieu Flamini.
Take it all in - what Gunners fan wouldn't sell if given the
chance?
Wenger's reluctance to let Adebayor leave may now become his own
undoing, as he could end up with a player who reportedly wants out
- or at least a far bigger salary - yet hasn't consistently
produced the performances to earn it. By the time the boss next has
the opportunity to offload him, other clubs will have sought out
alternative options and his market value is unlikely to be anywhere
near the figures being quoted this summer. The entire drama has
been a comedy of errors from all parties involved, and it is well
and truly on Ade's head to now prove his worth - whether he stays
at Arsenal or secures the major move he is said to be after. Can he
do it?
Sulmaan Ahmad
From Goal.com