Cesc Fabregas will refuse to return to Arsenal for pre-season training on July 5. That’s according to the Daily Mail. The paper reports the ‘news’ within a report that Arsenal have launched a club record £18m bid for Valencia midfielder Juan Mata as Arsene Wenger finally prepares to open the chequebook.
The Mail says that reports in Spain suggested that Fabregas, currently on holiday in Ibiza with Barca’s Carles Pulyol and Gerard Piquet, will snub a return to the Gunners’ build-up to the new campaign.
It is claimed that Arsenal are ready to “smash” their club record to bring Spain’s Juan Mata to the club. Club officials spoke to the 23-year-old’s agent and Dad with Mata now happy to discuss his future with the European Under 21 Championships complete.
The paper says that Mata can play in central midfield or on the left wing and was also part of Spain’s 2010 World Cup winning squad – making one 20-minute substitute appearance against Honduras in the group stages.
They say that his eye for goal and assists are why AW is willing to smash the club’s current transfer record – £13m for Russian ace Andrey Arshavin – to bring the Spaniard to the Emirates.
It’s claimed former Real Madrid youth player Mata was one of the stars of Spain’s victorious Under 21 side in Denmark, scoring two goals in the tournament, and has been identified by AW as the man to help ease the blow of Fabregas’ increasingly inevitable departure to Barcelona.
It is reported that the Gunners boss must also be alarmed that Inter Milan have moved to hijack Arsenal’s move for Argentinian playmaker Ricky Alvarez.
Apparently Arsenal chief scout Steve Rowley was in Argentina earlier this month to tie up a deal for Alvarez, but found difficulty in striking an agreement with the 23-year-old’s advisers.
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