Fabregas, Adebayor & van Persie To Leave If Arsenal Miss Out On Champions League
The News of the World claims that Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie will hand in transfer requests if Arsenal finish outside the top four this season.
Fabregas has often been linked with Barcelona, where he flourished in the youth ranks before moving to England as a teenager. The injured skipper has denied rumours of an imminent return to his homeland, but he has made no secret of his frustration at sitting in the stands while his side continue to drop points.
Adebayor was expected to leave Ashburton Grove last summer, but the Togolese striker stayed put after he and the board reached a compromise over his wage demands. Milan and Barca were both interested but pulled out after being quoted around €40 million.
A clutch of clubs have been keeping tabs on van Persie's situation, as the Dutchman is currently embroiled in slow-moving negotiations over his contract. Real Madrid are thought to be keen on the classy forward, as are Juventus and Barca.
Arsene Wenger would obviously be highly reluctant to let any of these three players leave, as they constitute the core of the team's forward play, but he may have little choice if things continue on their current path.
An unnamed source was quoted as saying, "There is a real problem developing because the big names are bemused at the way things are going.
"If Arsenal finish outside the top four, there’s no way the likes of Van Persie, Adebayor and Fabregas will hang around. They love playing for Arsene Wenger but they also want to win things.
"And, as things stand, they can’t see that happening. It’s not about how much money they can earn, it’s about winning trophies for these guys."
Arsenal are currently languishing in fifth, four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and some 11 points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
BARCELONA WANT ARSENAL TRIO
Barcelona have reputedly put Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor and Cesc Fabregas at the top of their summer shopping list.
According to The Observer, the Spanish giants offered Alexander Hleb plus cash for Van Persie last month. Arsenal rejected the offer but with the Dutchman yet to sign a new contract Barca 'believe they can persuade Arsenal to sell in the close season when he enters the final 12 months of his current contract.'
'In addition to recruiting Van Persie as a left-sided attacker, Barcelona are working on approaches for Emmanuel Adebayor and Cesc Fábregas. While they do not consider it possible to capture all three in a single transfer window, Barça regard Arsenal as "a selling club" and expect the London club to release at least one of their star names to raise funds for reconstruction of their own squad,' the newspaper reports.
