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Real Madrid vow to spend more as Gael Clichy is targeted
Graham Hunter and Simon Johnson12 Jun 2009
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has justified his outrageous outlay on Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka as he set his sights on luring Arsenal's Gael Clichy to the Bernabeu.
UEFA president Michel Platini has expressed his worry about the huge sums Real are prepared to pay at a time of world economic recession.
He described the £139million spent on the two star names as “excessive”, yet it appears there is no end to Perez's desire to splash the cash.
Valencia's David Villa and Liverpool's Xavi Alonso could be on their way as could Arsenal left-back Clichy.
Perez insisted that his outlay will only strengthen the club, financially, and was not a threat to football.
He said: “We believe we can improve our accounts by aiming for three goals — increasing ticket sales, increasing bank loans and increasing the club's economic value.”
Perez added: “Real Madrid takes about £340m a year, the fruit of three sources of income — a third from ticket sales, a third from television rights and a third from merchandising.”
Within 24 hours of his arrival as president at the start of the month, the 62-year-old presented Manuel Pellegrini as Madrid's new coach and seven days later the capture of Kaka from AC Milan was completed.
Ronaldo's arrival now seems imminent, while discussions regarding Valencia striker Villa are believed to be at an advanced stage.
“I want to recreate a Real Madrid that makes history,” Perez added.
That history could include Clichy after Pellegrini urged Perez to strengthen Madrid's rearguard.
Both big-money deals for Kaka and Ronaldo were in place before Pellegrini took the job and the former Villarreal coach has told Perez to suspend his Galactico spending and concentrate on other areas of the pitch.
Before departing to Santiago in his native Chile for his summer holidays, Pellegrini stressed that current left-back Gabriel Heinze will not figure in his plans and has put forward a formal request that Perez oversees the purchase of 23-year-old Clichy.
If the Gunners are reluctant to sell the player, Real could then turn their attention to Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.
The champions will be equally unwilling to let Evra go and are themselves focused on signing Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery as a replacement for Ronaldo.
Reader views (18)
Westl, Putney England
and beating the Benefactor XI 1-2 at the Beach was pretty funny too but not as funny as watching pantomime dame Drogba screaming for his dummy after Barca dumped you out of the ECL. It's a disgrace!
Priceless.
- Undercover Elephant, Dole Farm, Crays Hill, Essex, 12/06/2009 17:17
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Rob Gooner - In the past year Clichy's name has been linked with AC Milan, Barcelona and now Real Madrid. It would appear they do not share your view of his deficiencies. As for Vermaelen, he's a little small to play centrally and a little tall to play full back. I recall Gallas' displays in the left back slot immediately after joining us following the Ashley Cole transfer. He didn't do himself justice at all. Speak with Arsenal fans and while they would probably, to a man, agree that Cole is the more accomplished player, they would also tell you what I am which is, outside of Cole and, perhaps, Evra, Gael Clichy is as good a left back as there is plying his trade in the premier league. You need only look at the amount of money spent and the number of players brought in by the likes of Liverpool and the Spuds to appreciate how difficult it is to fill that position. We gooners have been somewhat spoilt and are perhaps a little blase about that having had the likes of Sansom, Winterburn, Silvinho, Cole and now Clichy come along one after the other. A top quality left back is worth his weight in gold.
- Speed Racer, Tokyo, Japan, 12/06/2009 17:17
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Another over-rated player to Real Mad?
- Paxton Pat, London, 12/06/2009 16:09
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Speed racer - Clichy is not a patch on Ashley Cole or Nigel Winterburn, has only 2 caps for France, as Evra despite not being a great left-back is regularly selected ahead of him for the national side & is far superior. I can only recall a single goal he has ever scored for Arsenal & he misses matches each season due to injury. Defensively he is a liability because of his lack of stature & gets overpowered at times. I did mention that Gibbs has played reasonably well at left-back, but is far more suited to a midfield berth. However, Vermaelen if used as a left-back will give us badly needed extra height & strength in defence. I am a realistic Arsenal fan who realises that Clichy can easily be replaced, to think otherwise is only fooling ones self.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 12/06/2009 16:07
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Undercover Elephant
Compare Anelka's transfer to Ronaldo's, Fergie bought him for 12mill and sold him for 80mill, thats a whopping 68 mill profit. Thats what you call an astute bit of business.
- James, Manchester England, 12/06/2009 15:23
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Interesting that Real are not targeting English players,only foreigners plying their trade in the EPL. How many English players are there in La Liga and Serie A. It undermines the idea that the EPL is the best league in the world. In fact it can't boast the richest club any longer. It's all flash,cash amd mainly trash .
- Pablo, Kent, 12/06/2009 15:03
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Elephant, I guess you were laughing so hard you couldn't type Drogba, Essien, Bosingwa and Alex. When's the last time your genius lifted any silverware? It was great to beat you 1-4 at yours!
- Westl, Putney England, 12/06/2009 15:01
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I have to say that Gale Clichy gave away a goal a match last season when he was playing. I would much rather play Gibbs, but not Traore thank you, and take the money for Clichy.
- Iva Chequebook, Islington, 12/06/2009 14:46
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@ Rob Gooner
Utter claptrap!! Clichy had another solid season before succumbing to a back injury. His form in each of the last two seasons has been exceptional, resulting in him establishing himself as a regular member of the French squad, even though he competes with Abidal and Evra for the left back berth. If the purported interest from Madrid is genuine then Clichy has earned it by being one of the outstanding defensive AND offensive left backs in Europe, never mind the Premier League.
As for ready made replacements Gibbs and Traore, Gibbs showed us how much he has to learn on a number of occasions last season and still cannot be considered ready to assume the mantle of first choice left back. Traore is a disaster and had a nightmare at Portsmouth last season, showing no positional sense and little appetite to knuckle down and do a job - whether at left full back or on the left side of midfield. Expect Arsenal to ship him out permanently during the summer.
- Speed Racer, Tokyo, Japan, 12/06/2009 14:29
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He ain't going anywhere! Adebayor can go, but Clichy is indispensible. If Twinkletoes is worth £80m, then Clichy is worth at least £100m. Ha ha ha!
RM do need Clichy more than Ronaldo though. Quite why RM are looking for ANOTHER attacker is beyond me.
- Paul Wickes, Staverton, Wiltshire, 12/06/2009 13:52
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Jack - firstly Gibbs was playing regularly at left-back, which contradicts your point. Vermaelen is an international left-side player & is 5ft 11 inches tall & certainly not lightweight for a left-back, although I must admit I prefer taller centre-backs. If Ronaldo cost £80m & Kaka £50m , it certainly makes Clichy £25m, if purchased by Real. As to your final comment, it is from 'planet cuckoo' as Wenger has made many sucessful purchases from players underachieving at relatively poor teams. There is nothing clever in signing players at extortionate prices from the top clubs.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 12/06/2009 13:34
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Clichy is not going anywhere.No deal.........
- Ftl Molate, Gaborone,Botswana, 12/06/2009 13:20
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Wenger is acknowledged as the smartest transfer coach in Europe. You only have to examine the Anelka deal which paid for the new training facility. If GC goes it will be on Arsenal's terms not RM's.
So far he and Sagna have been good value for money. Compare them to the comedy signings at Chavski: Veron, Sheva, Mutu, Deco, I could go on but can't type for laughing. Keep spending over in West Fulham. We'll see who is it that's back playing in the Makita once the benefactor leaves town.
- Undercover Elephant, Dole Farm, Crays Hill, Essex, 12/06/2009 13:17
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Gibbs could easily replace clichy but I still don't agree to sell because with all the games during the season ,Wenger will need them both.
NO DEAL.
A.Messina
- A.Messina, Malta, 12/06/2009 12:41
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Take this story with a pinch of salt. Clichy didn't have his best season last year but is in the top 3 left backs in the country and we'd be mad to sell esp to Madrid. Where are they getting this money from ?
If we could get 20m for him I'd snap there hands off if Traore and Gibbs can step up..
- John Livermore, Bermondsey, 12/06/2009 12:35
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If they're offering silly money then take it and buy Vermaelen. He could do a season at left back to get used to English football then switch to CB and let Gibbs or Traore take over.
- Mark, london, england, 12/06/2009 12:04
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Rob Gooner is clearly from the Planet Cuckoo!!
Whenever a player of theirs is in the media as a potential target,he spouts on about how they are not quite good enough as they have better in reserve,IF they were better they would be playing regularly already.
And 25 mill for Clichy...dream on..Vermaelan is as u put it also a lightweight,he must be class if Ajax can finish 4th in a totally weak Dutch league..
- Jack, northwood, 12/06/2009 11:55
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Although Clichy gives 100% he is slightly lightweight defensively & doesnt quite give enough offensively. He was mysteriously absent for the last few games of the season, put down to a back injury. With Vermaelen likely to sign, it is a distinct possibility that he is being bought to replace Clichy, in the process adding height & strength to the left-back position. We also have the excellent Gibbs, who has played well at left-back in Clichy's absence. However, I believe he is a future England international in midfield where he looks far more comfortable. Furthermore we have Traore returning, who also plays at left-back, from a seasons loan at Portsmouth. Bearing in mind the absurd fees being paid by Real, I would expect £25 million for Clichy.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 12/06/2009 11:27
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