GAEL CLICHY has become the latest Arsenal star
to make Europe’s ‘Most Wanted’ list. It means the Gunners could
lose three of their top players in a summer of transfer
crisis.
Clichy, Emmanuel Adebayor and Alexander Hleb are all
targets for clubs in Italy and Spain. Having already lost Mathieu
Flamini to AC Milan on a free transfer, boss Arsene Wenger now
faces an uphill task to stop his side from disintegrating.
Both Roma and Juventus are plotting to land left-back
Clichy, 22. Roma boss Luciano Spalletti said: “Clichy is an
excellent defender of international class. He is also still very
young, so has plenty of football improvement left in him.
“Certainly, it would please me a great deal to see Gael Clichy in a
Roma shirt. We will have to wait and see what develops.”
Roma signed John Arne Riise from Liverpool for
£4million only this week, though they may well decide to use the
Norwegian international in more of a left-sided midfield role than
as a left-back.
Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri, now in charge of
Juventus, also revealed his desire to sign French ace Clichy.
Ranieri declared: “Having worked in England with Chelsea, I know
the Premier League players very well and have to admit that Gael
Clichy is one of the most impressive players right now. “He is an
important player, above all, because of his versatility. I believe
he can play anywhere down the left and across the defence, too. He
could come to Juventus.”
Adebayor seems almost certain to leave, after two of
Europe’s biggest clubs said they want him. AC Milan confirmed last
night they will go to war with Barcelona for the signature of the
Togo striker. SunSport revealed on Wednesday that Wenger had
already sent Milan a no-nonsense ‘hands off’ fax a week ago.
But vice-president Adriano Galliani is undeterred and
vowed they will fight to land the £24m-rated hitman. Galliani said:
“We currently have a single transfer operation under way — the one
for Adebayor. “Arsenal, at the moment, do not want to sell. I have
a letter from them that says they are not ready to negotiate.
“Anything can happen but for now we are not authorised
to negotiate with the player. “AC Milan are absolutely clear.
Either Adebayor arrives or we stay as we are. There is no
negotiation for Samuel Eto’o or Didier Drogba.”
Barca also confirmed yesterday they are in talks with
Hleb’s agent over a possible £14m move to the Nou Camp. The
midfield schemer from Belarus was one of Wenger’s best players last
season but has been unsettled after another barren Emirates
campaign. The loss of Hleb would be a real blow to Wenger, given
his vital contribution to the team during the last campaign.
A close mate of Flamini, Hleb was annoyed when the club
allowed him to leave and is determined to follow him out the door.
Hleb linked up brilliantly with Cesc Fabregas last season but may
yet see himself at the same club as Adebayor. Barca are convinced
the Gunners’ striker would prefer to move to Spain ahead of
Milan.
The Spanish giants would be delighted to bag both
Adebayor and Hleb, though it would take around £40m to get the
pair. Wenger is determined not to allow his hard work in putting a
team together fall apart, though this could be his toughest
challenge to date.
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