Echo what someone else said on another thread- there is always hype that a player is going here or there before a big game- especially as the game is on Sky and its from the sky website.
We are playing the [Poor language removed] Saturday so expect a few more sensationalisms (sp)
This is just a denial of the story that appeared in the People - "Mikel Arteta's agent has denied having any contact with Real Madrid over a possible move to El Santiago Bernabeu. "
I've said many times an offer will land that we cannot refuse. Unlike Tommy, Mikel is on a long term contract so if they want him they'll have to pay big big money!
Dunno about Real Madrid, in fact I think it's doubtful. When I first read this story in the Sunday papers I wrote it off as the usual Sunday bollocks, but today his agent has come out saying Mikel needs to return to Spain in order to get in the Spanish squad.
I don't think the timing has anything to do with the derby coming up this week, more likely to do with the fact that whilst Spain are preparing for another Euro 2008 qualifier, Arteta is left kicking his heels at Finch Farm (whilst the likes of P Neville is playing for his country!).
The stench of agents wafting around this one already:
Why have your player sign a long term contract some three to four months ago?
Why start rumours like this now?
Why mention the Spanish squad selecetion matter?
Why mention that Real Madrid haven't been in for him?
This honestly sounds to me like a tapping up job, Madrid do want him, how do we get him out of the contract, leave it with me says Snr Agent and this is what you get, initial rumours before the January window which then enables the quote 'he's unsettled', the international thing being a great excuse Could even explain why he has been his normal self recently
Why Dom, why do we need Real Madrid to tell us how good he is? A bid from Spain, with the increased chance of getting into the national team would undoubtedly unsettle him.
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