Untangling The Reyes Mess
May 9th, 2007 by 'holic
Arsene Wenger is due to discuss the futures of Jose-Antonio Reyes and Julio Baptista with Real Madrid this week. There seems to be only one likely outcome given the photographic evidence I have received from Holics Spanish correspondent.
Apparently prior to Real’s weekend fixture, as the players were warming up, the jumbotrons transmitted an interview in which Jose expressed his desire to remain with the club. The entire squad had to be treated for stomach strains before, during, and after the match which made their ensuing victory all the more remarkable.
In all seriousness the proposed swap deal appears to be dead in the water. Real are on record as saying they do not want to keep Reyes, and Arsenal will not do a cash deal for Baptista at Real’s valuation of around £10 million.
Therefore it seems inevitable that both players will be returned to the holders of their registration. Reyes reluctance to return to London is complicated by the fact that he appears to have no suitors in his homeland. Athletico Madrid, allegedly his preferred destination, have come out and said they don’t want him either.
Wenger has made soothing noises, talking of Reyes possibly appearing in a 4-3-3 formation at Arsenal next season. He knows however that we won’t use that formation much at all next term, and Reyes international ambitions will require him to land a regular starting berth that just won’t happen at the Grove.
Unless the Spaniard has a dramatic change of heart, and attitude, the Gunners will have to offload him to the highest bidder. If that bid is not from Spain Reyes may be forced to swallow a huge slice of humble pie.
The saddest aspect of this whole affair is that Reyes would almost certainly have been a regular fixture in the Arsenal side over the second half of this season. Few would dispute he would have made a better foil for Adebayor than the hapless Beast.
Maybe he will yet prove valuable as bait for one of Arsene’s other targets, perhaps Ribery? A move to a club on mainland Europe would give him the opportunity to resurrect his career without having to endure our terrible weather and food!
Sorry about that, I think I was just daydreaming.
4 Responses to “Untangling The Reyes Mess”
Neither will be an Arsenal player next year. Reyes will go to Seville, the Beast will go elsewhere in Spain, we’ll sign someone else. Possibly Ribery.
I think your first part is right Dutch. Neither will be with us next season. I actually think our only chance of landing Ribery is if Reyes is the bait on the hook. He could be a considerable part payment if we cannot strike a deal with a Spanish club. Remember he is still under contract and we don’t have to sell him for peanuts just because he doesn’t want to come back. The South of France would give him an option, not his first choice, but presumably preferable to him than returning to England. That actually puts more than just Ribery in our reach, but only Wenger will know now what he has in his mind. Keep everything crossed.
Man, Reyes pissies me off. He could have been somebody at Arsenal, his assist rate was second to none. Instead of becoming part of a great team, he will become one of these journey men flitting from club to club.
Damn shame.
I’m surprised Wenger actually spoke of Reyes like that, especially coz he refused to turn out against Zagreb. That did it for me. Dont want him back, but I hope we dont lose out too much when we sell him on.