Sports director Andoni Zubizarreta has recognised that the negotiations to sign Alexis Sánchez and for Bojan Krkic¡s departure are almost complete. On Cesc, he insists that the negotiations have been clean.
Speaking together with Josep Guardiola, Andoni Zubizarreta has explained how things are going with
respect to Alexis Sánchez and Bojan Krkic. “All three parties have worked hard and we
understand that the negotiations are coming to an end”, he said on the Chilean, who he
expects “to be with us very soon … Some endings are long-winded, but we hope that it is
a happy one”.
On Bojan, he said “the agreement will be closed very soon,” in reference to the
talks between AS Roma and FC Barcelona, adding that “we have decided that it’s better
for him to work for himself.” The player has been excused from training with the first team
in order for him to spend time sorting out his future.
No force over Cesc
The name of Cesc Fàbregas copped up once again. Zubizarreta defended the way the
club has dealt with the issue. “Our position is to show the utmost respect to Arsenal,
because that club owns the player. From here, our job is to make proposals and to create proposals
that might be of interest to Arsenal. It is not our way to use force, although there are some
people that are only interested in the way things finish. The negotiations have to be face-to-face,
not behind backs”.
Solutions for Jeffren
Zubizarreta then discussed Jeffren Suárez. “He knows his situation in the
squad. We are looking at the best options with him and his agent in order for him to find the best
place to carry on playing football … but the market is not as active as the media is making
out … the club is only receiving very limited offers.” This, he claims, is reflected by
the small number of transfers this summer involving the biggest clubs in Europe.
Abidal’s new contract
Other than these comings and goings, Zubizarreta also mentioned Éric Abidal, whose
contract ends on June 30, 2012. “We had proposed the renewal of his contract before his
illness, and once he recovered, we restarted negotiations. From there, we shall be looking to reach
an agreement” he said.
The last name he mentioned was that of Gabriel Milito, where there is no change.
“Milito has a contract, he will be here on the 8th and we’ll work with him”.