Transfer latest…

Done!

The peak of the transfer season has been done, sealed and delivered. Robin Van Persie, last season’s captain of Arsenal FC has toed line of his three predecessors (Viera, Henry and Fabregas), by abandoning the team and monkeying to other teams.  He has sealed his summer-long transfer saga to bitter rivals, Manchester United! We can remember that as soon as he came back from the Euros, he made a public statement that he won’t be signing a new contract with the gunners…and the race by big sides to grab his signature began. Initially there were three teams in strong contention (Juventus, Man city and Man U). Juventus were favourites at a point, as a move to the Italian side will mean he wasn’t sold to direct title contender; but the bribery scandal that earned their coach a 10 months ban wasn’t the best advert to attract the Dutch man. Man City naturally frizzled out of contention, as they failed to make realistic bid for last season’s Premiership highest goal scorer. That left United firmly in the race, which they eventually won last night after agreeing a deal that will cumulatively be worth £24m.

As an Arsenal fan, I am bitter, not because I expect RVP to replicate his last season historics that saw him net 37 goals; but his stay will have passed a stronger message to other title contenders that Arsenal mean real business this time. Champions keep their best players, as this will easily keep those players from being used against them. It also attracts other quality players to the team. The biggest pain of it all is that the player in question, who was adjudged the best player for last season, is being sold to our closest long-time rival, Manchester United! Who does that? I can go on and on with reasons why that deal wasn’t cool….but I leave that to history to deal with.

But looking at the transaction from the business angle, which is famously Prof. Wenger’s expertise, the deal wasn’t a bad one. The player had one left in his contract; he came out publicly to say he wants to leave; he is 29 years old; he has terrible injury history until last season; you bought him for less than £3m………..and then you have the chance to sell this unhappy player who some of the fans are already turning against for £24m; I believe not even an Alex Ferguson would have turned down that offer. So goes the story….Van Persie is now a Manchester United player! Never in my wildest thoughts did I imagine this….but maybe that’s why we love football, a game of intrigues!

But it also saddens most lovers of the game that one of the most adorable quality of the game is gradually going into extinction…that is LOYALTY. Where is the loyalty that most football greats were known with…a loyalty that exhume astute dedication and transcends personal profit and interests. These days, only fans still uphold their integrity and loyalty….and that’s why some of us are still stuck with a team like Arsenal, undermining that they haven’t won a trophy for seven years...and it’s not looking possible soon....I just hope they prove me wrong.