AC Milan accept they have been priced out of the market for Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor by the Gunners' "impossible" valuation of last season's top scorer.
While the Togo international may, according to his agent, not be "greedy", described as "humble kid from the street" and "in love" with Arsenal, Arsene Wenger has sent a clear message he has no intentions of letting Adebayor - or anyone else for that matter - hold the club to ransom over excessive wage demands.
Nevertheless, the Arsenal manager also knows there is no value in keeping an unsettled player whose focus is on something other than mounting a sustained title challenge next season.
The Barclays Premier League club are, according to Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani, not willing to accept anything less than what they consider full market value for Adebayor, plucked from Monaco in a £7million deal 18 months ago and who smashed 30 goals last season.
"The request for 45million euros (£35.8million) by Arsenal is an impossible request," Galliani said on the Italian club's website, www.acmilan.com.
Barcelona are also said to be in the hunt for the Togo forward, with president Joan Laporta looking to secure a big-name signing ahead of the club's referendum this weekend.
The Catalan giants would certainly have the financial muscle to test Arsenal's resolve with an offer nearer their asking price.
Wenger, though, would want guarantees of a replacement should Adebayor eventually cash in on his demand and leave, with both Blackburn's Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz and Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins, rated around £14million, likely candidates.
Having already completed the capture of promising young Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal are expected to soon finally confirm the arrival of long-time target Samir Nasri from Marseille, while Portugal Under-21 international Amaury Bischoff is another who claims he is on his way to Emirates after German side Werder Bremen announced his departure.
However, one player now off the market is Spain forward David Villa, who pledged his allegiance to Valencia having impressed Wenger, among other English Premier League managers, at Euro 2008.
"I'm very grateful, I'm happy to be here," Villa said.
"There are further years left on my contract and hopefully I'll extend my stay."
"The president plans to keep the same team to please the fans in order to have a great team."
Arsenal head off for their pre-season training camp in Austria at the end of July, and will return for the Emirates Cup - hosting Juventus and Real Madrid, as well Hamburg under former Tottenham manager Martin Jol - before completing their preparations with an appearance at the Amsterdam Tournament ahead of the Champions League qualifier on August 12/13.
By then, Wenger could have Czech winger Tomas Rosicky back in contention following his summer rehabilitation.
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Comment 1 - 9 of 9
These player wages are whinding me up bigtime - put them on the average weekly wage for uk which is about £250 (take home) and lets see what happens... Hope Okwa, you need your head examined son, 90K for what, kicking a pigskin about a field... I hate it when these so called geniuses get big money while we as the lowly supporter don't get a say in what our team do with our players, it's us who pay their wages. Our teams should have a forum set up where we can go online and talk to the men who decide what happens, give some input then it can be put into place who and what the fans really want.
Nuff said - Here endeth my rant.
It's hard to find the other Tony Adams, Martin Keown, David O'Leary or Dennis Bergkamp capabilities on Arsenal Squad now. They were still playing incredibly even in the 'very famous' restricted wage. And I think they are not stupid person to know how the money could talk at the time.
There is no point trying to keep a player who has made up his mind to leave. Arsene wing should throw the door open for Adebayor to leave. Arsenal can ahieve better successes without him, afterall everyone was hoping Arsenal could be pushed out of the big four at the closed season just because Henry left the club last summer but reverse was the case. There is no striker in the world that will not do well in arsenal with the quality of my boys Fabrigas and Co. Adebayor's exit will cave way for Walcot and others to shine.
Wenger doesnt know when to sell? Really? So all the guys he has sold so far have been having that much of an impact on their new teams have they? Henry? Viera? Really? Pires? Campbell? Ljunberg? I think Arsene knows when its time to let somebody go...
it was so nice not to have england in the euro, and not deal with overated players just because they play in england...the @#$% begins again...
Ade-barndoor is a bit on and off, but he has proven he can score in the EPL, which would have been a headache for Wenger to replace. Wenger's put his foot down and set a high price becoz he knows if Arse go into the market to replace Ade, it'd be for a hefty price.
How can Arsenal value Adebayo at 35.6 million pounds when the 30-goal striker is one of the least paid strikers among the top four clubs. Even Obafemi Martins 80,000 pounds is better than Adebayor's 35,000 pounds. I thought we have been unfair to Adebayor by not supporting his quest for wage increase. Arsenal reportedly offered him 45k per week while Flamini rejected 55k per week. Adebayor is worth, at least, 90,000 pounds per week, if we are to be fair to him. If Wenger can't pay, he let him go to Barca and get a respectable wage!
There is no problem with Wenger in this situation. He is happy to sell, but only at £35m. I like the way he is handling this situation. I think Wenger will eventually sell at £25m, which imho is a very good deal, especially if Wenger goes out and buy 1 or 2 top strikers (villa, eto, benzema, cruz, martins)
this has been the problem with wenger,he doesn't know when to sell,let adebayor gooo,he's not that Good,sale him and buy more strikers,
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