Cole’s leaving, but how much for?
36 comments July 25th, 2006
Ashley Cole will almost certainly leave Arsenal for Chelsea, possibly as soon as this week. However, if this is to be the case, then Arsenal aren’t going to let him go on the cheap, with the latest reports suggesting that we’re asking for £25m in exchange for the left-back.
And why not? If Shaun Wright-Phillips, Didier Drogba, and Michael Essien were all bought for £20m+, then Cole should be no different. Apparently Chelsea’s opening bid of £16m was rejected this week, though I’m led to believe negotiations have been ongoing for some time, perhaps even before the end of the World Cup.
Although I’m sure we’d prefer Cole to go abroad, there doesn’t seem to be any interest from Real Madrid, who might stick with Roberto Carlos for one more season.
Elsewhere, Dennis Bergkamp has suggested that Patrick Vieira might consider returning (seems unlikely though), whilst Arsenal have been linked with the Vieira-esque Alou Diarra.
Tonight sees the first pre-season friendly of our tour of Austria as we take on SV Mattersburg. Gooners out there have noted that one player is conspicuous by absence, as he has been for a couple of years now:
Just where is Ryan Garry???
