Emmanuel Adebayor’s agent has defended his client
against accusations of greed by insisting that his contractual
dispute with Arsenal is not motivated by financial
concerns.
Adebayor has angered Gunners fans after stating, in an interview
published on Sunday, that he would leave the club if they did not
match his wage demands – a reported £120,000 per week.
The fact that he insisted he was worth as much as the club’s
all-time record goalscorer, Thierry Henry, also rankled with
supporters but his agent has attempted something of a damage
limitation exercise by presenting his spat with the club in a new
light.
“Since the beginning, there has been a love story between
Adebayor and Arsenal and his relationship with [Arsene] Wenger is
based on trust and respect,” Courbis said in The Times.
“Emmanuel is a man of heart, not of money. He is not greedy. He is
a kid from the street, has sensibilities and is humble.
“If this was a money problem, then he would have asked to leave.
I know that Arsenal’s political position is that they don’t pay
high salaries.”
Despite such lofty sentiments, Courbis then urged Arsenal to up
their contract offer if they want to keep Adebayor at Arsenal this
summer.
“It is important for Emmanuel that Arsenal show their motivation
to keep him,” Courbis said. “Whatever they will decide, the
decision will be taken with respect.”
