Arsenal Exodus???

I was quite shocked this morning when I saw the front page of The Daily Telegraph. The massive headline read "Arsenal Exodus". Apparently, all 3, Fabregas, Nasri and Clichy were all leaving Arsenal. I don't believe this for a second. The Telegraph actually attacked Arsenal quite brutally in the article, to my displeasure, but it's the publication of these more a less unfounded rumours that really gets me. The Telegraph, normally a reputable newspaper, have today, with that article, lowered themselves to the standard of the sports pages of the Daily Mail and or The Sun.

Let's start with Fabregas. Cesc Fabregas, firstly, is valued by Arsenal at at least 45 million. The only other club Fabregas would want to go to, Barcelona, apparently only have a transfer budget of 40 million. You do the math, they can't afford him. That's not to say however that Barca won't go and sell some players to get more money. If I were Arsene Wenger, I would be willing to negotiate. For example, I would accept deal of 30 million and Bojan Krkic, the latter being a phenomenal player who is barely used at Barca. Furthermore, any talk of Man City trying to tempt Fabregas is obviously wrong. I highly doubt Fabregas would want to go to Man City, as he his currently the captain of a club of similar status. So, I am not ruling out Fabregas leaving, but there is, in my opinion, a 75% chance he will stay.

Next up, Nasri. This whole story about him wanting to sign with Man Utd has been ridiculously blown out of proportion. I watched the interview with him on Telefoot (a program I used to watch every Sunday morning when I lived France, lots of memories), and he never explicitly said he wanted to go there. The interviewer brought up the possibility of Man Utd, and Nasri simply said that he didn't know and that he would see. Basically, he wasn't at all sure. The English media have typically transformed this statement to a headline stating Nasri wants to leave. Losing Nasri would be a blow, m ore than Fabregas I think, but I am 99% sure that he will not end up playing for Man Utd. Wenger wouldn 't let him. If he were to leave, Arsenal should be asking for AT LEAST 35 million, even though he is in his last year of contract at Arsenal.

Finally, Gael Clichy. The Telegraph stated that Liverpool made an offer of 5 million for him. If that is the case (it probably isn't), it's an absolutely disgraceful offer. Gael Clichy in my opinion is one of the best full backs in football. Clubs should be bidding at least 10 million for him, probably more. Clichy's departure would not really be a big problem as Kieran Gibbs is ready to step into the void, but it would still be a blow. I really hope Clichy stays, as I really rate him.