Hello Melo, Bye-Bye Eboue?

This is a strange little story. First we wanted him, then we didn't, then we did only for him to turn round after the Confederations Cup and sign an extension with Fiorentina. As he only had one year left on his contract everyone assumed it would be so that Fiorentina could get the best price for him next season. Then yesterday, there were reports that he was going to sign/had signed for Juve who were to/had activated his £25million release clause. Cheeky we thought, but ah well. Then, a few hours later, Fiorentina released this statement on their official website:

"Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino, in denying the transfer rumours of the past few hours, which sees Felipe Melo definitely at other clubs and reporting potential meetings to finalise the transfer of the player, underlines the following:

"In case the footballer has already reached an agreement with any club, the release clause fixed with the player himself is €25million. We would not contemplate any exchange, unless it is to the liking of Fiorentina.

"Arsenal is the only club to have come close to the sum established by the release clause.

"Fiorentina in turn proposed to the aforementioned club a reduction in the amount set by the release clause by including right-back (Emmanuel) Eboue in the deal."

OK, so I couldn't get onto the offical Fiorentina site, it was down all day yesterday, but Sky claim that they found it as an 'Official Staement' there, and the news spread pretty quickly. 

Does it sound like us to come close to a release fee so high? Is Melo worth that much? As much maligned as Eboue has been, I can truly see his potential, no matter how much he tries to hide it behind diving and getting on like a poor man's Ronaldo. If Darren Bent is going to Sunderland for £10m then what valuation would you give Eboue? Reason says £7m, but in the absurdity that has become the prices being paid in this window, you could almost say £10m and not be laughed out of football.

His agent has denied that Melo is in talks with any other club. But that doesn't mean we haven't started talking to his club and he all but says that in the above link. Besides, isn't that the way you are supposed to do it (unless you're Spanish) - club - permission - player? Why would be talking to Melo at this stage? Agent must be covering his ass just in case.

It's all still very much at the rumour stage, and is contrary to the impression Wenger has been giving that we are done buying. But what else am I going to talk about? Wimbledon? The Williams sisters made the final again. Yawn. The Brit got knocked out in the semis again. Yawn. The Lions? They win when it doesn't matter. Yawn. At least this story has a bit of the WTF about it.

There's more blah blah blah about Barca trying to tempt the 'unsettled' Arshavin but I'm not getting too worried about that. If he goes he goes, but it's a load of old toss and not even original. I suggest journo's try using a different template, just to mix it up a bit, they could have least said that FC Burgerbap were trying to get him, peak our interest in this new, mysterious club who could dare think they might acquire such a big name. But alas, it seems that imagination dries up at this time of the year as much as news of any real value.

If Eboue did leave, where does that put us in relation to right-back cover? Kolo? I'm putting him anywhere I can just to keep him from leaving for Insane City (£300,000 per week for Terry, is simply disgusting).

Elsewhere, Matuidi, who's been linked with Arsenal all season has stated he'd like to leave Saint Etienne, but he's being eyed up by Marseille as a replacement for another alleged Arsenal target Cana should he leave.  We sure are not buying a load of midfielders this season.

I would just like to note that I am disturbed that Butternut does not seem to be going anywhere fast. While Man United have tried to emulate us by buying their own usless has-been, I feel that theirs will never turn out to be as bad as the crock they sold us. He isn't even a crock, at least you can say that about Owen. Butternut is just shit and I'd rather have the toothless Nordtveit as cover than that vegetable-headed freak.

The 25 situation doesn't bother me quite as much. I'd love to see the back of him to clear the way for Eddie and Carlos but if he does stay we know he will have the season of his life as he tries to engineer a move away from the Grove. How can that be a bad thing for us? At least if that happens we can wave him goodbye next season rather than giving him the fingers and telling him to go fuck as is the case this. He says he's made up his mind to stay, but that means nothing when it comes to Adebayor. Do you think this brochure might help his chances?

Sill no official confirmation from Arsenal that VO has resigned, guess they just use ink that takes that little bit extra time to dry!

And that's that for this football-less Sunday. It's just not right you know, just not right. Sunday's should be a day of football, what the hell else are you going to do?

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