Hleb & Gilberto set to leave whilst Ronaldinho leaves Ade in the lurch
40 comments July 16th, 2008
Aleksandr Hleb’s departure from Arsenal has been so ludicrously drawn-out that I would not be surprised if he now fails the medical that Barcelona have scheduled for him this evening. Assuming, however, that he manages to get through a spot of jogging and spell his name correctly on the contract, we will receive a fee rising to €18m for a player who could’ve bought his contract out for significantly less. Barca have confirmed on their official website that all being well Hleb will be presented as a Barca player tomorrow.
The Catalans have moved fast for Hleb after agreeing a deal to sell Ronaldinho to AC Milan – I don’t know if Laporta has realised that Hleb’s “White Ronaldinho” nickname was primarily ironical. That move means Milan are now out of the running for Emmanuel Adebayor – the Togolese striker’s options are diminishing rapidly. It now seems his only chance to leave the club would be a bid from Barcelona – if not, he’ll be forced to return to Arsenal with his tail between his legs, and the contract rise he probably would have got were it not for his poor conduct will be far from forthcoming.
Another man who could depart in the next day or so is Gilberto Silva – my namesake and, for a time, my hero. Although his form has fluctuated, his attitude never has, and the example he set last season was outstanding. After being surprisingly overlooked for the captaincy then dropped for a player who had threatened to leave just weeks earlier, he buckled down and fought for his place, culminating in some excellent performances towards the end of the season.
His departure would certainly require someone else to come in, and Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso is the latest name to be thrown into that big proverbial hat.
By the time I next speak to you, Hleb should be gone. Thank God for that.
