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Arsenal have signalled their intent to keep Emmanuel Adebayor by rejecting an offer of £24 million from Barcelona. Joan Laporta, the president of the Catalan club, had hoped to complete a deal for the Togo forward before a vote of no-confidence from club members on Sunday, but he is likely to have to make an offer closer to £30 million for Arsenal to consider a deal.
During all his discussions with the club, Adebayor has told Arsenal, where he has three years left on his contract, that he wants to stay, but that they must keep to a promise of a new deal as a reward for an outstanding season. Adebayor scored 30 goals during the campaign, showing the promise that was expected when he joined from AS Monaco for £4.2 million in 2006.
Stéphane Courbis, the player’s agent, is expected to meet Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, this week, after the pair held talks in Vienna last Friday. “Since the beginning, there has been a love story between Adebayor and Arsenal and his relationship with Wenger is based on trust and respect,” Courbis said.
“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.”
Didier Drogba and Benjani Mwaruwari are among the strikers who are paid more than Adebayor, who improved his deal last summer to about £35,000 a week. Arsenal have offered Adebayor a contract worth about £45,000 a week, but may not wish to increase this because they are prepared to sell him. Arsenal’s dilemma is that Adebayor could argue that he should be paid in accordance with their £30 million valuation. This would mean offering more than £60,000 a week.
Adebayor, who is in Togo for an event for his charitable foundation, wants his future resolved before the start of the season. “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.”
Vagner Ribeiro, Robinho’s agent, has said that Chelsea want to buy the Real Madrid forward. “I met Frank Arnesen [the Chelsea director of scouting and youth development] and he confirmed to me that Chelsea wanted my player for next season,” Ribeiro said.
Decent bets
Kevin-Prince Boateng has been told that he can leave Tottenham Hotspur. The midfield player, who joined from Hertha Berlin last summer, has attracted interest from Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart. Boateng made seven league starts last season, but Tottenham have since signed Giovani dos Santos and Luka Modric, who play in a similar position.
Paris Saint-Germain have said that Didier Digard’s move to Middlesbrough has stalled because they are waiting for bank guarantees from the Teesside club. The midfield player had said that the deal was held up by PSG wanting the £4 million paid up front.
Liverpool are trying to revive a deal for Albert Riera, the Espanyol left winger who was on loan at Manchester City two seasons ago.
Dead certs
Steve Bruce, the Wigan Athletic manager, has signed Daniel de Ridder for the second time in a year after the midfield player was released by Birmingham City.
Portsmouth have signed Ben Sahar, the Chelsea forward, on a six-month loan.
Derby County have bought Liam Dickinson from Stockport County for a fee of £750,000, which could rise to £1 million. The 22-year-old forward scored 21 goals as Stockport won promotion to Coca-Cola League One in May.
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Pay for performance is OK; he deserves a raise. However he did score a bunch against hopeless sides like Derby, so he shouldn't get a massive raise. Once he starts bangin em in against United and Chelsea, then he should get the big cash.
Greg, Chicago,
He will be nothing but trouble if he stays, wanting more money every season and lording it over the other players (remember what he said after his on pitch bust up with Bendtner).
Sell him for as much as possible and bring in a professional, proven goal scorer.
Richard, London,
i agreed with Sarah, coz Adebayor is one of the best striker in Europe, the way that he created 30 goals for last season is fantastic. We should rewarded him accordingly as long not to over market price , but for Arsene we have to show to the rest of the clubs how to to spend our money wise
Zoha Hashim, Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
Let him go. Much overrated and effectively cost us the title at Birmingham by selfishly shooting instead of passing to Bentner who was on the break with him and would have had a simple tap-in to make it 3-1. Any decent striker would have scored 45 goals with the possession and chances we make !
Dubs, Stewkley, England
Henry was at the club for 8 years. He broke the club's record for goals scored. he has won World Cups, Euro Championships and led Arsenal to League and Cup success. Ade has had one good season and wants the same level of wages! Greed does not begin to describe it ...
AB, London, UK
Outstanding season???
Six of the 30 goals came vs Derby County.
And if it were 'outstanding' how come Arsenal ended up with no silverware? Simple - 2/3 of the season outstanding - when Feb/Mar came about, Adebayor failed to score in seven games.
Take the money Arsenal.
herdee string, Headley, Zimbabwe
It's fair that he demands wages that are in line with the market. However sending out mixed messages via the media in the way of C Ronaldo is so without class. So he can go. Arsenal can do better if Arsene can replace hime with a clinical striker.
KW, Madison, USA
A decent player but not a great one, he got 30 goals but headed an attack that made plenty of chances. If we can can get £30 million then it's a brilliant deal. Bendtner got a respectable nine goals even though he rarely started, give him a chance and buy a centre back and another forward.
mark, newcastle,
Let him go... 30 million for an outlay of 6.5? Think of the young and local talent that could buy. "Not about the money" my harris. He ain't no Henry, or Bergkamp, or Brady. Oops, that's showing my age.....
Garley, London, UK
Theo Walcott's ready for big time now!
cww, Ipswich,
Adebayor has not won anything, where was he when things are not working for us towords the end of the season. Let him prove himself again next season, then we will know if he is not a season wonder
Deji Ayinde, London,
One good season does not make a world class striker. His first touch awful and his period awol mid-way through last season shows he is far from the finished article.
Working hard was good enough for Henry & Vierra, so he needs to put up or shut up. Frankly at £24m Arsene should fill his boots!
Dom, Ascot, UK
This is great news, dunno for whom though. A greedy player like Ade should be sold as soon as you get a decent amount
JJ, Ruislip, UK
Well, Adebayor wants higher wages because he scored more goals. Sure, if he's not able to reach the same number of goals next season, Arsenal should dock his wages!
Adrian, Singapore,
He has shown that he can cut it in the premiere league, top goal scorer out of all the strikers, great commitment and great entertainment. No matter how greedy he may be percieved, this is his job and can earn much much more elsewhere. Arsenal should increase his wage, keep him, fill other positions
yazb, London, UK
Don't damage Ade pls, the report above is that Arsenal are willing to sell & make money from their best striker. Ade is willing to stay, & if he is asking for £65K , and Arsenal are offering around £45K, then Arsenal doesn't want him to stay. A striker of Ade type should be on £60K/£65K. PAY UP!
Ade, London, UK
Arsenal make money out of their players and I don't think it's unreasonable for them to pay the same sort of wages that players get from other teams. I'll believe how little importance Arsenal put on money when they stop charging entrance for games at the Emirates.
Penn, London,
As an Arsenal fan I admire both Adebayor, and our pragmatic wage structure...
I dont think we want a player that demands 120k a week, but I definitely think he deserves more than a measly 35k!! 30 goals last season means we should reward him for performance - 65k is fair and not above market avg
sarah, london, uk
adebayor can get lost. Dont want him and dont need him at arsenal.
Dont do it Arsene he aint worth it. This man clearly believes his own hype get rid of him.
Jay, Slough, uk
Arsenal should hold firm with the standards which make them unique in the world of football. Why should they keep in line with the other big clubs spending & greed. The decay of our game is there for all who have a brain, to see! Keep Arsenal local & get rid of Adebayor. He IS NOT Thierry Henry!!!!!
Michael James, London,
Torres 20 million Adebayor 30 million ????
John S, Liverpool,
He deserves a pay rise when you consider Shechenko and Ronaldo get abou 130k! So Even 60k wouldn´t be excessive at all really with the amount of goals he scores.
matt, cardiff, wales
well "the kid from the street" has a point there. if we value him at 30 million then we should pay him accordingly. 45 k is nothing if u consider the salaries paid to the top players of the top clubs. that saying i dont think we should pay him more than 60k and he has to prove himself again next yea
mo, ny, usa
Don't buy him Barca !!
Buy Villa instead - even Benzema or Huntelaar is ok!
hoangdaochu, Hanoi Vietnam,
Ade not motivated by money? he wants a pay rise after he had one last season ?
Nah, he aint motivated by cash is he?
Gilbert, Manchester,