£40m for Jesus, £3m for Moses, and the Lord Wenger’s transfer kitty exposed?
L’Equipe is reporting that the Spanish press have put a £40m valuation on Arsenal midfielder and backup to the Lord Jesus Christ himself, Cesc Fabregas.
Arsenal supporters are realistic, we know that one day Jesus will leave us and go back to his homeland. But on his current form, Cesc Fabregas is the best player in the Premier League and would command far more than £40m, if he was even for sale. Which he isn’t, nor does he want to leave, which makes Marca’s £40m valuation worth about as much as the toilet paper it’s printed on.
Speaking of crappy papers, Goal.com (in it’s ongoing bid to supplant The Sun as The World’s Least Reliable News Source) is reporting that Inter Milan wants to sell Maicon to Manciti in order to have the money to make a cash plus Balotelli deal for Cesc. I like this story for the sheer balls it took to print such utter fiction. Maybe it’s true that Inter wants Cesc, what team wouldn’t want Cesc? But to then jump to the conclusion that Cesc wants Inter and that Arsenal wants Balotelli and that Balotelli wants Arsenal and… I could go on.
Audacity I tell you, sheer audacity!
If he did leave this Summer (not gunna do it), how much would you value him at?
There is one other transfer story this morning, one with a little more legs; Victor Moses is potentially an Arsenal target after alerting everyone that Crystal Palace was late on his salary, again.
Let’s look at the facts: talented, young (19 y/o), African/English, bargain price (£3m for a talented English kid?), 5’9″ (read, SHORT), midfielder, speedy, currently plays in London.
I think that all adds up to an Arsenal player if I ever saw one. Wenger’s probably already placed the call.
One last intriguing wrinkle is that the Independent is reporting that Wenger has £30m+ at his disposal for incoming transfers. It’s not news that Wenger is often linked to some type of real or imagined transfer kitty, that happens every transfer window. What’s different is that the Independent is reporting that the board and the banks are explicitly setting aside a stash of money for Arsene to spend on transfers and wages.
The Independent quotes the “Latest Arsenal Annual Report on Page 14″ as saying:
All proceeds from player sale transactions are made available to Arsène Wenger for re-investment back into the development of the team.
The May 2009 report is the latest official report from the club and sure enough, the quote is there, albeit on page 15, not 14. Regardless the small error it is an interesting and valid point for the Independent to make and it does look like Wenger has some money to spend.
Of course, the board has all along maintained that Wenger has money to spend and Wenger has spent money where he felt necessary. Last season he brought in Andrei Arshavin which Wenger credits for keeping Arsenal in 4th place. So, you can rest assured that if he doesn’t think we have the parts to make a serious title challenge, and he can find someone to fit the bill, he’ll go out and get him, tout de suite.
Right, that’s all as far as Arsenal transfer news today. Enjoy the silence as Wenger engineers another master stroke!
Comments
Yeah, I read that Goal.com article as well.
It would be funny if they did this like…once every 2 years. But it’s a constant drone from them…either some back room deal/pre-contract for Cesc to Barca that one of the Presidential candidates cooked up (story duly supplied from Spain) on a bi-weekly basis or Antony Kastrinakis at The Sun splashing the pages with an equally egregious level of craptacularness that gets breathlessly repeated on Goal.com like it was writ by the hand of God himself.
Oh…the drudgery of a transfer window for an Arsenal supporter.
I don’t get the Cesc is Jesus Christ reference. What did I miss?
@Patrick, Jesus….savior….messiah…., I think it goes that direction. I could be wrong, it is Tim after all LOL.
@Patrick,
seems like you all are reading stuff after a long time… its his nick name that everyone calls him now… all blogs and everyone else…
I completely share your views on the press’ attempts to sell more paper and gain site visits, many of the transfer speculations are outrageous these days.
I’m not fund of the Jesus-Fabregas analogy though, religion does mean a lot to some people and should be respected.
Coz of the Victor Moses kink… Artistic licence
A very nice article…loved the nouns and adjectives you used to reason out the logic. Media I tell you can sometimes be too predictable and boring. I dont know where goal.com came up with such a false story. It has been mentioned over and over that Cesc is not available at any offered price and even if he were then the amount would definitly be record breaking.Gone are the days that players like Cesc (currently the best midfielder in English Premier League) could be bought for 40 million pounds. If a club like Real would be really interested then they would have to end up paying nearly 55m pounds. Still I suggest that he would be unavailable as the club realizes that Fab is not replacable.Cesc is a player of the highest quality like that of Messi and Ronaldo. As a matter of fact these three players are the most valuable players of any league right now. In short, if Riberry is worth 45m pounds then Fab atleast 55m or more. Cheers…
WHY JUST £55M? IF RONALDO IS WORTH £80M THEN CESC IS AT THE VERY LEAST THAT MUCH. RONALDO IS A TERRIFIC PLAYER, BUT CESC IS THE FULCRUM OF THE TEAM. NOT ONLY DOES HE PLAY EXCELLENTLY AS AN INDIVIDUAL(LIKE RONALDO), HE MAKES THE TEAM TICK!! AT THE MOMENT HE GIVES ARSENAL IT’S CHARACTER.
JUST TO EXPLAIN FURTHER MY POINT ABOVE. CESC IS AT LEAST AN £80M PLAYER. HAVE YOU EVER IMAGINED THAT IF RONALDO WERE CESC THE MIDFIELD GENIUS, HE WOULD VIRTAULLY DICTATE THE GAME FOR PORTUGAL AND MAKE PORTUGAL UNBEATABLE. RONALDO THE £80M REAL MADRID PLAYER IS A COLOSSUS, BUT ONLY AS FAR AS HIS INDIVIDUAL PLAY IS CONCERNED. CESC IN CONTRAST IS MUCH MORE THAN A GENIAL PLAYER. THE WHOLE TEAM PLAY REVOLVES ARROUND HIM, AND TO ME THAT MAKES HIM MORE THAN JUST A COLLOSUS. INTER CANNOT AFFORD CESC, PERIOD.
I LOVE THE ALL CAPS
@Tim,
HE MAKES A GOOD POINT.
WHO?
YOU.
OH MAN. THIS IS VERY LOUD IN MY HEAD.
@Dooley, LOUD NOISES!!!!!
Only a fool will mention the name Jesus in the same breath wiht cesc.
Cesc is a man, be it very talented.
Jesus is God.
Who ever compared dem is ………………..
@chuose, I’m pretty sure your god is strong enough to take a little ribbing.
If not …. …. …. …
@Tim, My God, Jesus is so awesome that Kings Bow before Him.
And Neither Cesc nor You dare stand in Jesus’s presence.
Mark u I am a die hard Gooner to the core.
An Arsenal fan NOT football fan.
No man is in the same galaxy as Jesus.
@chuose…. have a day off will ya, take ur bible bashing bullsh*t somewhere else, “not in the same galaxy as jesus” christ sake…lol
@jack, Jack sorry for your IGNORANCE
Remember that Jesus, like Cesc, was just a man. Still, I rate walking on water a few points higher than the second goal against Spoors.
Which brings to mind an old joke from ice hockey that our English friends will fan on — graffiti from the land of Bobby Orr:
“Jesus saves,
Espo scores on the rebound.”
The NY Rangers need him now to come out of retirement
@BayGooner, UR wrong Jesus is God who came looking like a man to die for the sins of all men.
Jesus died as man and for all men and rose up again as God about 2000 years ago
In 100 years who is gonna rememeber Cesc.
Meanwhile Jesus is so awesome that the birth of cesc is measured relative to the death of Jesus, A.D
@chuose,
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NOT THE PLACE FOR THIS.
First the guy yesterday whose brain was destroyed by a picture of a fine lady’s breasts near the Gunner shirt, and now this insanity?
We understand how you feel about Jesus. I have no problem with your opinion so long as you keep it to yourself. I doubt very much that you are willing to extend the same decency to myself or anyone else on this site. I apologize for the assumption, but you haven’t done anything to convince me otherwise.
I have heard that fans of the Minnesota Viking’s Adrian Peterson regularly call him “Purple Jesus.” I highly recommend that you investigate this and bring your mission of not allowing non-biblical use of the name of a man who is quite possibly the most famous in human history to THEIR message boards and fan blogs. Also there is a player on Sevilla… you know what? Never mind.
Even from a non-devout perspective calling Cesc “Jesus” is only accusing him of being selfless, blessed with incredible talents, and the messiah and leader of a group of young men. I have no idea where or how Tim saw any possible connection.
Now, uhm. On with the football?
@Dooley, Once u mention Jesus in a derogatory way, u have automatically given me the signal to talk.
IF U DONT WANT TO HEAR THE NAME JESUS THEN DONT SWEAR OR BLASPHEME OR PLAY WITH THE NAME JESUS.
@BayGooner, Oh… come on! Anyone can walk on water!!!
I like this blog and I’ve decided this will be my first blog on anything Arsenal. I agree Cesc is worth nothing less than 80m, and even that is a pipe dream to any interested parties because he is not for sale and he doesn’t want to go, period. Case closed.
@Tim, please do not mention Jesus Christ in any way to drive your point home about any man. I appreciate your intentions about the use, but I appeal to you not to do this in the future.
It is blasphemy. Hope you take this as 100% constructive criticism and not take offence. Thank you and Happy New Year 2u
@Lucky, LOL! Is this an Arsenal site or a religious institution? I believe that it’s the first, so meh to blasphemy.
Whatever Wenger has in mind, it must be a doozey. That is if he can find the right player. He’s out there. Somewhere. Like Eduardo was out there.
One paper says we are not interested in Gignac because he is not as technical as we require.
40mil. I’m sorry but that starting number does not even rate a return call. Real Madrid need to start the conversation at 60 and throw in Higuain when the final number is reached. They’d probably prefer to throw in Benzema and we could do that
Owen Coyle looks suspiously like he’s going to ‘move’ up to a ‘big’ club in Bolton. I like Coyle. I like how his team plays w/ the resources they have. The question for Coyle is will he have the players at Bolton that can fit his style. Megson was a victim of the Allardyce legacy. Colye will need Chris Eagles at Bolton to set up Klasnic.
Can someone please tell why the media are so fixated on Emile Heskey. He is so over the hill yet he is preferred right now to Carew. Simply amazing.
@ctpa, why are the media fixated with Heskey? Erm,they arent. Cant blame the media for MON picking Heskey every week
Benitez has to be worried after today’s game w/ Reading. Reading scored 1st and were the much better team on the day. Insua was having a nightmare. Does anybody really pass to Acquilani? Liverpool couldn’t string 3 passes together today, no make that 2 passes, no you better make that 1 pass.
I watched the Boro-Man City and you didn’t need the excuse of not having a job to stay away from this crapper. For all Boro’s possession in the 1st half, they were still a day late and a dollar short of effective quality. They then really went into the toilet after Michael Johnson left w/ an injury. The owner is delusional if he thinks Strachan can do better than Southgate w/ this team.
@ctpa, Have you watched Reading’s CF? Polish…dont remember the name, too much beer at this time. He seemed quite interesting.
It is surprising to me how reasonable the British media are viewing the lineup changes we will make for WHU. They actually seem to get it for a change.
I’d rest Arshavin tomorrow. This is his 1st full season without a winter break. We need him for Bolton. That is the biggest game of the season to date.
I cannot believe the god botherers getting onto an Arsenal web site to complain about Cesc being compared to Jesus, get a life. I like the article and thought it was well written and got to the point. Cesc could in fact be Jesus as he followed on From God himself the legendary DB10.
UTA
I think I blacked out a minute ago. Never been so riled up about something other than a volley.
Been watching all of the Ramsey videos on youtube again. That belter against Pompey really stands up with all of his other “wonder goals.” I am tremendously impressed with how well he has adjusted to the premiership.
I don’t think he is used properly in the anchor role but he looks better there than Diaby, and hopefully Aaron will be more than competent playing there during the ACN.
Realistically, I think he could end up as our starting third midfielder. Song sitting back with Cesc and Ramsey split left and right would give us tremendous work rate and vision with the added bonus of some real shooting ability from the edge of the box that we sometimes lack.
I’d like us to win tomorrow, I think we can, but cup ties are goofy. Up the Arselets! uhm. Arsekins? Little Arses. Yeah.
This is a site for gooners or religious nutters?
Lot of people out there trying to censor the name Jesus. He’s my Jesus too and if I want too and if I want to lend his name to favorite milkshake I will. Who gives anybody the rights over Jesus? I bet Jesus loves it when we start killing each other over the proper way to use his name. He must be so pleased with those very judgmental people out there. Wait a minute…
You’re right Jesus never laughed or had the piss taken out of him by a bunch blokes. Pity.
@Alan Taylor, Oh, come on. I had a friend named Jesus!!! Back in the day, I used to play basketball. All he ever did was shooting 3 pointers
Ha-ha! Loving the little God squabbles (I’m a Christian myself). I actually thought Jesus for 40m would be Dzeko.
@Erichero,
Dzeko for $4m would need to involve Jesus. 40? Maybe a saint. Or a pew.
Cesc leaves Jesus for dead.
The reputation of Fabregas is that of a player who has failed to win his team a single trophy after years of trying.
Yet he is being talked about here as being in the same class as winners like Messi and Ronaldo etc.
Fabregas has only a record of trophy FAILURE and should therefore be regarded only as POTENTIALLY a world class player. It is impossible for him to be more than that as long as he plays for a team bereft of trophy-winning quality.
Just as someone like Moses must leave Palace to enhance his stature, so must Fabregas rid himself of the ball and chain of Arsenal and move to a superior club such as Real, Barca, Man. Utd, Chelsea or even Liverpool where he would work beautifully with Torres.
Sir Cecil
Liverpool are not good enough for Cesc at present, they are a club in termoil where Gerrard is struggling at present, Chelski’s brand of hoofball would not suit Cesc’s style, Real and Barca will fight for Cesc’s signature one day but not yet. Cesc will succeed with Arsenal and the young talent that is coming through at Arsenal. If Arsenal win the league this year Fab will be player of the year.
UTA
@Sir Cecil,
So, in order to “enhance his stature” Cesc should leave a third place EPL team and go to some 7th place team who will struggle to get Europa League football next year?
Also, Cesc won the FA Cup and this Summer he won the Euro Cup. What’s Torres’ claim to fame? Segunda División?
There’s a footballer named Jesus I believe..
Jesus Navas something. Isn’t it a popular Spanish name?
Cesc with no trophies? So he didn’t play for Spain when they laid waste to the Euros, then? Or take — and convert — the final, winning PK in a Euro shootout?
I must be thinking of a different Cesc.
Moron!
Just to say 30 millions is for Transfer + PLAYER WAGES, that really doesn’t leave much for transfer only kitty. Say he went and bought Dzeko for £20 Million, then probably all the transfer kitty would be gone in that he wou maybe command a £10 million contract if not more and there would be nothing left for the rest of the squad in terms of renegotiating contracts.
only £40m ? double that and you’d be closer, not that i’d want to sell cesc.
This God squabling is hilarious. I mean, I stand up for your right to be religous but plese know that your wrong! There is no God, there is no after life – stop being a fucking child. When you die, noting happens. There is no heaven, no hell – you won’t even know your dead. Do you know why? Because you’ll be fucking dead!
and highbury was my church
How is god jesus, im not that religeous but jesus is gods son , I am not my dad so jesus is not god, sort it out
Christianity: One woman’s lie about having an affair that got seriously out of hand.
All religion does is create war and conflict , 9/11 would not have happened along with many other terrorist acts. SO SHUT UP! Lets just believe in football (however wouldnt mind a miracle i need one being a pompey fan this year) hope you lot win the league you deserve it by showing it is possible to create an extremely good team without chucking millios around, do us a favour and beat bolton !
Haha this religious crap is just too much. How do you look yourselfs in the mirror every morning? There are lots of parallels between Cesc and that Jesus fella from the story book you refer to as the holy bible! Football is my religion and therefore Cesc is my Jesus as he is a symbol and a representative for everything that is good about it!
I thoroughly enjoyed the article and it summed up alot of my own frustrations with the press, keep up the good work!
Jesus, protect thee from thy followers
I always thought of Cesc as more of a Buddha to be honest
I hope Arsene plays our entire youth squad. We’re in a great position in the Premiership and in the CL, and I’m all for thinking about those things exclusively. Hopefully enough big managers will start doing this in order to send the league government a message that there’s simply too much football for these players and a break is needed during the season (a la the break in the Bundesliga).
Um, Leeds? Wow. Good for them.
ManUSA just got knocked out of the FA Cup by LEEDS!!!!!
Leeds were clearly the better team. They press, harried, chased lost causes, and made passes. Simple thing, making passes. Boro couldn’t do enough of them and Liverpool could barely do any.
I liked how Leeds didn’t send all 11 back on defense for the last 30 minutes. They kept some attackers up and had some great chances at a second goal. Very impressive passing as you said. I guess this makes Leeds’ manager the new target for clubs like Bolton and the like?
the pc religious police can fuk off if they cant take a joke
@Dooley. “I have no problem with your opinion so long as you keep it to yourself.” Sounds like totalitarian sensorship to me. We are not living in a Dooley Dictatorship, this is a free country.
I REALLY DN’T MIND IF CESC GO BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW ONE DAY HE WILL BUT IF HE GO FOR 40 MILLION THEN I HAVE TO QUESTION THIS BECAUSE HE IS TOP TOP CLASS AND IF HE GOES WE HAVE TO SELL FOR AT LEAST 80-100 MILL
That’s the danger of Sylvestre. What a hole for Diamante to score.
Job done. What inspired substitution? Diaby & Nasri coming on gave Zest to our passing and therefore helped the focus of our attack. Good & Tidy second half.