From soccernet
Milan priced out of move for Adebayor
AC Milan accept they have been priced out of the market for
Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor by the Gunners' 'impossible'
valuation of last season's top scorer.
'The request for 45million euros (£35.8million) by Arsenal is an
impossible request,' Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said on
the Italian club's website.
While the Togo international may, according to his agent, not be
'greedy', described as 'humble kid from the street' and 'in love'
with Arsenal, Arsene Wenger has sent a clear message he has no
intentions of letting Adebayor - or anyone else for that matter -
hold the club to ransom over excessive wage demands.
Nevertheless, the Arsenal manager also knows there is no value
in keeping an unsettled player whose focus is on something other
than mounting a sustained title challenge next season.
The Premier League club are, according to Galliani, not willing
to accept anything less than what they consider full market value
for Adebayor, plucked from Monaco in a £7million deal 18 months ago
and who smashed 30 goals last season.
Barcelona are also said to be in the hunt for the Togo forward,
with president Joan Laporta looking to secure a big-name signing
ahead of the club's referendum this weekend.
The Catalan giants would certainly have the financial muscle to
test Arsenal's resolve with an offer nearer their asking price.
Wenger, though, would want guarantees of a replacement should
Adebayor eventually cash in on his demand and leave, with both
Blackburn's Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz and Newcastle striker
Obafemi Martins, rated around £14million, likely candidates.
Having already completed the capture of promising young Wales
midfielder Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal are expected to soon finally
confirm the arrival of long-time target Samir Nasri from Marseille,
while Portugal Under-21 international Amaury Bischoff is another
who claims he is on his way to Emirates after German side Werder
Bremen announced his departure.
However, one player now off the market is Spain forward David
Villa, who pledged his allegiance to Valencia having impressed
Wenger, among other English Premier League managers, at Euro
2008.
'I'm very grateful, I'm happy to be here,' Villa said. 'There
are further years left on my contract and hopefully I'll extend my
stay.'
'The president plans to keep the same team to please the fans in
order to have a great team.'
Arsenal head off for their pre-season training camp in Austria
at the end of July, and will return for the Emirates Cup - hosting
Juventus and Real Madrid, as well Hamburg under former Tottenham
manager Martin Jol - before completing their preparations with an
appearance at the Amsterdam Tournament ahead of the Champions
League qualifier on August 12/13.
By then, Wenger could have Czech winger Tomas Rosicky back in
contention following his summer rehabilitation.
The board jz made a stupid move... 35m deal take n run
liao...