Gunnerblog

Auxerre: “We are not in agreement with Arsenal over Sagna”

1,057 comments July 10th, 2007

Gunnerblog is working hard to keep you up to date with the latest on the Bakary Sagna transfer.  The following interview came to light in the French press about half-an-hour ago, and I’ve bashed through a translation for you:

Gérard Bourgoin (Auxerre Vice-President), we announce the transfer of Sagna to Arsenal. Have you found an agreement with The Gunners?
For the moment, Bakary has only Arsenal in his heart. He is very, very enamoured with this club. The position of the player has ultimately influenced our decision, although at the start we were not willing to lose him. The negotiations have just accelerated. Sagna asked us for permission to meet with the London leaders, but for our part: we are not in agreement with Arsenal. For the moment, nothing is final.

Is the €11m you’re demanding blocking the finalisation of the transfer?
I’ve been in football for 28 years. In that time, I have never spoken about figures. I’ve never revealed the wages of my players or the transfer fees – I’m not about to start now!  Know only that our transfer demands were not accepted by Arsenal.  The talks are very advanced. But Arsenal are a big club. As with all big clubs, the paperwork is complicated by the laws that add clauses to the contracts.

Are you in London to negotiate the deal?
No. I am abroad, but not in London. I stopped there last night, in transit, while returning from Africa. I must return there tomorrow (Wednesday) to take the plane. There is some brief news – Jean Fernandez (Auxerre manager) called me. He asked me what the odds were of keeping Sagna. I told him there was only a 20% chance of keeping his star…

So no deal yet, but it sounds like they’ve got a real fight on their hands to keep him.  Furthermore, I hear that despite his claims, Bourgoin is very much in England.  Sagna’s agent, meanwhile, has left – satisfied with the five-year contract on offer.  I still think something might happen tonight.  More as and when I get it.

Bakary Sagna in London?

414 comments July 10th, 2007

This article from L’Equipe says that Auxerre’s Bakary Sagna, who featured in last season’s Ligue 1 Team of the Year, is in London finalising a contract to join Arsenal. I translate:

Bakary Sagna is without doubt going to realise his dream: to leave Auxerre for a more decorated club – as it happens, Arsenal. The defender currently finds himself in London to discuss the method of his transfer to the Gunners. 24 years old, and with 2 years remaining on his contract with Auxerre, Sagna was wanted by a number of clubs, but he has always made clear his determination to develop in England.

“Without doubt” is a pretty absolute term for a reputable paper like L’Equipe to use, so it looks like Sagna will indeed soon finalise a move to become our first-choice right-back. He can also fill in on the left hand side, and if he joins the fee will be around £7m.

I would be really pleased that Arsene had moved to strengthen an area I’ve made no secret about believing to be weak. Neither Hoyte nor Eboue convinces me, and from what I hear of Sagna, he’s more in the Lauren mould. Let’s wait and see – there may be more later today.

The other major story involves Cesc Fabregas, with The Times suggesting Real will offer £27m for Cesc and Reyes. I might aswell nip this one in the bud right away: Arsene will never sell Cesc in the same season as Henry. Of course Fabregas will eventually return to Spain – maybe even next season – but it won’t be just now.

The Guardian report that Fiorentina officials are in London, ready to offer £5.5m for Freddie Ljungberg. They may return to Italy handless, as Arsene will have been so ferocious in biting them off. There’s also talk of them offering Valeri Bojinov in exchance, which seems hugely unlikely, simply because he’s really really good. One thing I do know for certain is that Bojinov has been made available after refusing to sign a new contract.

It doesn’t look like we’ll be signing Ryan Babel, who could be set to move to Liverpool. If the £13.5m fee Ajax are reportedly demanding is true, you have to say that it’s crazy money.

On the subject of crazy money, Marca report today that Real Madrid are willing to pay €6-8m for Jose Reyes.  Ha.  No wonder we had to do a loan deal last time.  Idiots.
One transfer that is definite is that Matthew Connolly, last season’s Reserve Team captain, will be spending the season on loan at Colchester. I can’t help but feel this is the beginning of the end of his Arsenal career.

Finally a word on William Gallas: I won’t slate him as long as he continues to say things I agree with.