Udinese and FC Barcelona were confirmed to have agreed on a 27 million pound-deal for Alexis Sanchez’s move to Camp Nou, according to the Italians’ representative Quinque Pina who has revealed that the two sides are very close to close the negotiations for the 22-year-old Chilean striker. “Both clubs have the utmost interest to finalise the transfer. The signing will be £27m plus variables – he prefers to play in Spain,” said Pina of Sanchez, who is currently competing for his national team at the Copa American in Argentina. The former River Plate striker scored 20 goals and gathered 95 appearances with Udinese with whom he finished this past term fourth in the Serie A with 66 points, four behind Napoli who have directly qualified for the UEFA Champions.
Foto Source: theshedender.com
But Sanchez is now to set new heights with the European champions who won two important trophies this year, including the UCL and the Primera Division title which they managed to defend for the second time. Still, the Catalans are keen to bring Cesc Fabregas on Camp Nou, though Arsenal are not willing to let go of him, either. Even more than that, the two sides have come to tense relationship after Xabi declared earlier this week that he had spoken to Cesc weeks ago who told him that he still eager to part with the English side whom he has joined back in 2003. Xabi’s statement annoyed coach Arsene Wenger, claiming that “I spoke to Cesc in Ibiza and he said he was suffering, because he really wants to come. It’s what he most wants, he’s done everything he can to come and wants Arsenal to let him go.”
Arsenal still lacks big trophies s the Gunners could barely finish the season fourth, place which allows them to play a play-off round for the UEFA Champions League group stage. The Fabregas soap opera is at its second year, but still, the English side are decided to keep the 24-year-old captain on the Emirates. Cesc scored 35 goals in 212 matches with the Gunners, his honors with Arsenal including one FA Cup won in 2005, and the 2004 Community Shield trophy. He is also finalist of the 2006 UCL competition, but he hasn’t gotten the chance to win one. The Spanish midfielder, winner of the last year’s World Cup, is still under contract with Arsenal, but Catalans’ 30 million pound-bid for their former player was denied by the Gunners’ board.
Apart from the two moves, Pedro is among the Barca players who already received a one-year extension to the original contract. The 23-year-old’s new deal runs through the 2016 season, his Camp Nou experience including 25 goals and 75 selections. Pedro is one of the three Barca heroes who helped Pep Guardiola’s side to beat Manchester United 3-0 in the UCL big final on Wembley this year. His clause release reaches 150 million euros.
